THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 247

sub-title "Adulteration of Food and Drink", and to
repeal and re-enact, with amendments, Section 169 of
the said Article, repealing the prohibition against the
use of artificial sweeteners in soft drinks and permit-
ting their use when authorized by regulations of the
State Board of Health., AND RELATING GENERAL-
LY TO THE USE OF SYRUP AND OTHER SWEET-
ENING LIQUIDS AND SUBSTANCES IN SOFT
DRINKS.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That Section 168 of Article 43 of the Annotated Code of
Maryland (1951 Edition), title "Health", sub-title "Adul-
tration of Food and Drink", be and it is hereby repealed
.and that Section 169 of the said Article be and it is hereby
repealed and re-enacted, with amendments, so as to read
as follows:

169. For the purpose of Sections 160-173 all soft
drinks or other non-alcoholic beverages, except non-alco-
holic fruit juices, shall consist of a beverage made from
pure cane , CORN or beet sugar syrup or such other sweet-
ening liquids or substances including artificial sweeteners
as shall be permitted by the regulations of the State Board
of Health, containing pure flavoring material with or
without added fruit acid, with or without added color,
provided that nothing in Sections 160-173 shall prohibit
the use of any other harmless ingredient in the manufac-
ture of soft drinks or other non-alcoholic beverages; pro-
vided that in case pure cane or beet sugar syrups are used
as the sole sweetening agents, the finished beverage shall
contain no less than seven (7%) per cent by weight of
sugar except in case of Ginger Ale which must contain
not less than six (6%) percent. PROVIDED FURTHER
THAT WHEN ARTIFICIAL SWEETENERS ARE
USED, THEY SHALL BE ENTIRELY SUBSTITUTED.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to non-alco-
holic beverages, made in imitation of beer, bitter drinks
and other similar drinks. It is provided further that when
artificial coal tar colors are used nothing but the certified
colors as approved by the Federal Government are per-
missible.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That this Act shall
take effect July 1, 1954.

Approved April 2, 1954.