"Health Foods"

That comprehensively named subdivision of the Department of Agriculture-- the Food, Drug & Insecticide Administration--last week tactfully published warning against exaggerated exploitation of the new "health foods." Those foods include whole wheat, rye, oats, bran and their mixtures, mineral and imitation mineral waters, candy containing calcium, iodized salts, foods with phosphates added, carrot flour bread, a laxative drug, chewing gum containing phenolphthalein (coal tar cathartic). Advertising and labeling has tended to make illogical consumers believe that ordinary diet is insufficient for health, that one or another of such products must be used to avoid nutritional disaster. Said Lawyer-Director Walter Gilbert Campbell of the Administration: "Socalled 'health-giving' biscuits, foods and waters are not only a waste of money if purchased for their curative properties but are responsible for a more serious loss because their use is relied upon as a substitute for appropriate corrective measures, such as a proper diet, exercise and sunshine."

During the past few months food manufacturers have begun to commercialize irradiated food. Such products have been exposed to natural or artificial ultraviolet light, which builds up in them the valuable antirachitic Vitamin D. Dr. Harry Steenbock of the University of Wisconsin, notably among others, developed irradiation on a scientific basis. "But," said food & drug officials last week, "ordinary sunshine is rich in ultraviolet rays, and provides Vitamin D in abundance. The use of a drugged food, therefore, is needless to persons getting plenty of sunshine." The valid argument of the irradiated food preparers is that in cities, especially smoky cities, people do not get sufficient sunshine.

The advice of the Food, Drug & Insecticide Administration to "health food" purveyors was this warning: Drop the word "health" from your advertisements and labels. Substitute, if you please, "wholesome."

While the Government last week was industriously warning the major portion of the people against unnecessary "health foods," it was just as industriously urging hillbillies, cajuns, crackers, Poor Whites and Negroes to eat what they consider "health foods." Their normal diet consists largely of white flour, cornmeal, hominy grits, molasses, fat pork, sweet potatoes. Those foods do not constitute a balanced diet. Consequently pellagra is widespread in the South. The Government recommends the addition of yeast, whole wheat, whole milk, canned tomatoes.