US vs. Ninety-Five Barrels

     Imagine being a jury that had to analyze the "testimonies" of inanimate objects... Well, that was the case in the Supreme Court case of US vs. Ninety-Five Barrels. This was one of a couple of rare cases where things rather than people have faced the ruling of a court decision. Neither the company or its representatives were brought before the court. Instead, roughly 95 barrels did. In 1924 Douglas Packing Company was selling a product called Apple Cider Vinegar. Normally the product is made from apples, however, the Douglas Packing Company was making their cider vinegar from dried apples. Second, fresh apples contain the apple juice that is normally used in the production of apple cider vinegar, whereas Douglas Packing used water as a substitute ingredient. These two differences are what enticed the prosecution to claim a mislabeling because they were advertising the product as if it was the same as the other natural and organic manufacturers that used no substitutes. Most manufacturers made it with fresh apples and this company was being accused of mislabeling their product. 
    This case is significant because although it seems ridiculous it was a case that eventually granted the FDA more power to regulate products. At this time regulations on food and the power of the FDA to control such regulations was still in its infancy. For example, soon after, the FDA attempted to regulate a toxic medication that supposedly had killed around 100 people. However, because of the FDA's limited abilities, they were only able to seize bottles that had not been sold under the circumstance that they were mislabeled which was an understatement. These ninety-five barrels that were questioned became an important part of the future growth of the role in the government. 

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