The law of the State of New York (see Part 2, Bulletin 13, p. 239) defines adulteration of food as follows:

The term "food," as used in this act, shall include every article used for food or drink by man. The term "drug," as used in this act, shall include all medicines for internal and external use.

b. In the case of food or drink.

(1) If any substance or substances has or have been mixed with it so as to reduce or lower or injuriously affect its quality or strength.

(2) If any inferior or cheaper substance or substances have been substituted wholly or in part for the article.

(3) If any valuable constituent of the article has been wholly or in part abstracted.

(4) If it be an imitation of, or be sold under the name of, another article.

(5) If it consists wholly or in part of a diseased, or decomposed, or putrid, or rotten animal or vegetable substance, whether manufactured or not, or, in the case of milk, if it is the produce of a diseased animal.

b. In the case of food or drink. - Continued.

(6) If it be colored, or coated, or polished, or powdered, whereby damage is concealed or it is made to appear better than it really is or of greater value.

(7) If it contain any added poisonous ingredient or any ingredient which may render such article injurious to the health of the person consuming it: Provided, That the State board of health may, with the approval of the governor, from time to time declare certain articles or preparations to be exempt from the provisions of this act: And provided further, That the provisions of this act shall not apply to mixtures or compounds recognized as ordinary articles of food, provided that the same are not injurious to health and that the articles are distinctly labeled as a mixture, stating the components of the mixture.

Under this definition the following may be classed as the adulterations of teas:

(1) Facing (6).

(2) The addition of spent or partially exhausted leaves (3).

(3) The addition of foreign leaves (1).

(4) The addition of foreign astringents and substances designed to affect the apparent quality or strength (1).