Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-04
Effect Of Cold Storage
on Food Products.
Scientific Table to be Con-
Quoted by Government.
The Result Of Experiment Awaited With In
terest by Dealers and Consumers.

MO service, with changes in its per-
sonnet. Experiments to ascertain the
wholoson. eueSs OF cold storage food are
10 be begun by the Department OF
Agriculture i'll the near future. The
undertaking is similar in many respects
10 the extensive investigation made
two years ago Of the effect of chemi-
Gals used in the preservation Of foods
on the human system. The work is to
be carried on mainly as means of
furnishing data to the various states
for the regulation of legislation per-
tanning 10 the sale Of cold storage
foods. 1t will probably be year or
more before the task is completed, af-
ter which its far-reaching results will
be made known.
owing to the peculiar nature of the
experiments, the department is re-
Iuctant to give out information con-
corning them. Inquiry at the bureau
Of chemistry, where the Investigation
is to be carried on, brought forth the
statement that no official report to the
public i'm regard TO the undertaking Will
be made until it has assumed DEFINITE
shape. 1t is learned, however. that
ARRANGEMENTS are now being made to
begin the experiments at an early date.
the method of procedure has not been
definitely chosen, but it is said on au-
thority that volunteers from the work
ing force of the bureau have already
been obtained as subjects upon whom
the experiments will be made.
This squad will consist of ten or
Twelve men, who will subsist for the
next year or so on a diet of cold stor-
age foods as the guests of the govern
menr. The condition of the health
from time to time will be the keynote
Of the wholcsomcDess of the foods.
Since the results of the experiments
on preserved foods became known there
has been inquiry at the department
from various sources all over the coun-
try as to whether meats and game
kept IN cold storage for any length OF
time constitute a wholesome food. The
previous investigation disclosed that
representatives. contained in American
products would be likely to have an in
furious effect on the health of many
persons This revelation was the
means of spreading considerable alarm
throughout the country, and as 1t has
become a matter of concern as to
have a similar tendency. the Depart
ment of Agriculture has undertaken to
supply the data by adopting the pres
ent axpedient.
DR.. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the
bureau of chemistry, will have charge
of the experiments. He will be guild
ID as TO the course OF procedure by the
developments which become apparent
as the work advances. one OF the hrst
:teIS will be to make an examination
Of tn, physical qualifications of the
men who will form the SQUAD. 1t is
necessary that each member of TINS
body be in excellent health at the time
he becomes a guest at the government
dining table. The object is to have as
sturdy a lot of volunteers as can be
gathered together, as any change IN
their condition may more readily ne
observed That the employees of the
I,Irelu have little fear that the tests
viii result diSaStrously for them IS III
dicateu by the fact that there nave
j., IN more applications for member
shin t. the squad than there are places
10 fiji.
EyeryIhing connected with the under
taking will he carried or according to ne
most approved l,SaEeS OF science. III
meals will be cooked scientifically. th'
service will be scientific. the men Will ea
scientifically, their digestion Will be
r,odel of science. and science will hgur'
in their mode OF living The scientifl
kitchen will be located in scientific ian
,,r,tory adjoining scientific ann;
room. where the squad Will conSreSat
about Il scientific feastinG board at reg''
lar hours each day. Every KIND OF ZOO
which car be preserved IL cold stortS
including meats. game, fish and eggs
,~ith a view of not only aifor,iing them
scientific variety in their Diet. but NOR
particularly to ind the scientific effect o
III it is found that the diet is injurln
the health of the men the eNperlm, nj
VIII be suspended. sad a goNeriiit zen
official who is acquainted with the pre-
iect illness on the part of the suD}eCt
would be taken rs an indication that III
desired results of the investigation M
hecn obtained 1t would show that COZ
storage products cannot be used as as,
regular diet without injury to healtf
ind this is the very thing the depulhtu
desires to prove or 6isprove. 1t is impo'
sible under the system in use for q SUI
iect to become permanently disabled as
result Of taking part in the experiments
las the project is now in prematul
form" he added. mo definite plan ha
tcen mapped out to carry on the test
An experiment of this character develol
as il goes along. There are any numpt
oC unforeseen contingencies which migi
.rise. and they will have to be provide
for as they become apparent from time
time The probability though. is tia
the work will follow much the same linz
as the experiments made on preserve
sives." a. :.
How far-reaching the results of the il
We stigation will be is disclosed by the Ia
that a large percentage Of meats used
th;,. country are the product OF C0lu-StO
ace warehouses The methods IN vogl
nj the various abbatoirs throughout II
country are SO arranged that nearly a
meats are placed in storage before beir
.shinnod TO the consumers. Certain VI
rfntins can be kept under the refrigeratir
rroress for weeks without apparel
change in their condition: In fact, it
maintained that the quality is lhlprov'
only to be unwbolesoule but undeslrab
AS well as a regular food.