Evening star., 1941-01-29
Special Defense DIET
Planned 10 Guard
America S Health
Agriculture Department
Studies Nations Dinner
Table to Get Dutu
First OF q Series.)
BY THOMAS r. HENRY.

BY THOMAS r. HENRY.
fhree-fourths of Americas $780,
100000 people, the best fed in the
world. are living on diets below
the margin Of safety"
At least q fourth, due to dire
poverty, lack the food ingredients
essential to health.
Another two-thirds, because of
poverty, ignorance or ingrained food
habits. do not get enough of one
or more of the essential ingredi-
ents to keep bodies and minds at
their best.
These are the figures of the Bu-
reau of Home Economics of the De-
partment of Agriculture which has
conducted extensive studies Of the
kitchens and dinner tables in all
parts of the country. They err, say
the bureau workers, only on the
side of extreme conservatism.
Diet Study Is Defense Move.
A committee of the National Re-
search Council, headed by DR.. Rus
sell Wilder of the Mayo Foundation,
Is drawing up minimum adequate
diet for the population. 1t is
measure of national defense, con-
sidered as important and even more
fundamental than the production
Of guns and airplanes. Upon the
physical and mental efficiency of
the masses, probably the most i'm
portant element of which is diet,
depends their performance in every
other line.
When the minimum diets are
formulated. local committees in
nearly every community will be
named to conduct campaigns of
popular education and do everything
else possible to see that they are
included in the meals Of every
family.
ut is the greatest health move in
history" said DR.. w. H Sebrell, diet
expert of the Public Health Service.
In one stroke, for example, it
should wipe out our present 100000
cases of pellagra in the South and
the iron anemia which is so wide
spread"
Won't Be Ready for Month.
The diets. as they leave the hands
of the committee. will appear rather
unappetizing. They will prescribe
not pork chops and ice cream but
iron, copper, calcium, ribof1avin.
thiamin, etc. 1t will be the duty of
some such organization as the Bu-
reau of Home Economics to translate
them into terms of the market
basket-such as beef, potatoes, sugar
and carrots.
They still are in a formative state
and probably will not be ready for
the public for another month. But,
according to Bureau of Home Eco
nomics workers who have attended
some Of the conferences, the inclina-
ton seems to be to fix as minimum
diet their own borderline between
the good and the fairly adequate.
Some things will be called for which
they never have dared call for them
selves, considering the difficulties of
getting them into the market bas-
kets of the poor.
One definite step is already under
way to fortify flour with iron, nico-
tinic acid, vitamin B-1, and pos
sibly two or three other vitamins
and minerals, which will supply at
least a fourth of the needs of the
now are badly deficient, at a cost of
less than a tenth of cent for
loaf of bread 1t is calculated that
the average meal of an American
provides at least 1000 calories of
food value and that, year in and
year out, 600 calories a day are pro-
vided by bread.
Mills Are Cooperating.
The larger flour mills of the coun-
try are cooperating. They long
have been stung by the criticism
that modern methods of milling take
out of wheat many of its essential
food values. The Food and Drug
Administration of the Federal Sc
curity Administration is now writing,
after extended hearings, specifica-
tions for fortified flour" 1t is
expected that these specifications
will be promulgated about July l.
After that ordinary flour still can be
sold, but it must be advertised as
such. Present indications are that
very few mills will continue it, ex-
cept as specially.
The new flour will differ very
little. so far as taste and appearance
are concerned, from the familiar
product. 1t may have slightly
yellow tinge and have a slight
"wheaty" taste, experts believe.
Plans are now being formulated to
put vitamin A and possibly some
other essential elements into mar
earine, which takes the place OF
butter on many tables. Otherwise
the new diets will consist Of the
familiar articles of food, but in diff
ferent proportions.