THE MILLER AND WHITE BREAD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 88, 2 June 1911, Page 3

THE MILLER AND WHITE BREAD.

“An -official report; upon the perils of white flour has been issued by the Biitish Local Government Board. It is. in effect,” says' _ the “Mail,”*/‘a complete condemnation hi bleaching and the use of chemical ‘improvers.’ “It sliows how widespread is the use of these dangerous processes. it demonstrates- conclusively that the present groat reaction against ‘the crane for whiteness’ is well founded, and that the medical advocacy ol standard bread is justified hy then adulteration of white bread as it is by the higher 'nutritive qualities of the 80 per cent, flour. “Dr. J. M. Ha mill, who with Dr. G. W. Monier-Williams is responsible for this report, has dealt with the whole subject iu a strictly moderate and scientific spirit. His prime conclusion in regard to bleaching is that ‘the alterations in, and the additions to, Hour which result from a high degree of bleaching by nitrogen peroxide cannot be regarded, as free from risk to the consumer. “He absolutely denies that the consumer can derive any advantage. His conclusion in respect to the use of chemical, improvers is.that'the increasing activity in the use of different articles as additions to flour must be regarded with considerable apprehension. It does not appear desirable that such an indispensable foodstuff as Hour should bo manipulated and treated, with Foreign substances.’ “The report is particularly intersting in view'of the attitude adopted by ilie committee of the National Association of British and Irish Millers in their renlv to the doctors’ manifesto in the “Daily Mail”. It will be remembered that the millers claimed that colour is ‘a valuable test for purity’ and warned the public against relinquishing ‘tho eyesight test.’ Dr Hamill disposes of this in the following sointonces: — ‘Owing to bleaching; colour is no longer a trustworthy criterion, and a purchaser may he supplied with an article of a different quality from that which ho believes lid is rcccivino-. Millars arc, of course, ft ware of'this,* and show a disinclination to inform their customers that thoii Hour is bleached.’ - “The main contention of the supporters of white Hour that whiteness is ;1 test of quality is thus completely disproved.” j . " “Two official reports cur broad;' is-' sued by the Local Government Board, gives im a good deal of information about the Wavs of the miller,” says the “Westminster Gazette.” Some of them are not very nice ways, but wo suspect that in‘tiffs matter the miller is almost as much the victim ol the public* as the public is the victim of'the Hour-maker. A general taste that demands that milk shall bo yellow, although good milk is white, wants its Hour wiiitc; although [lie best flour is not that colour at all. Just as the milkman serves us with tho yellow __rvffik which wo demand, so the milieu- gives' an 'unnatural whiteness to his Hour.- He introdiicca *llll ppov<*i s -1 1 11 c* 11 jimpravo’ by making "Hour loss nutritious, and lead to digestive troubles.” ' ■ ' ' F.DFCATK THE BCBLICV ' “What in rcvdly wanted is the educr.iwn of the pubiie to know wind is .;nd co prove!!! it i uui'ilng 1 after Ldr.n "goods. 1 Then we shall carry sympathy with ua in dealing with the ffi.ii, ;• n-.d t'.'e milkman who ‘im-'oHrnvi-n we shall mill:-* lb' life of the seller a thing of coni'i'lmg tce-meiiis, belwccn the ustameF\.ho wants wliii:c-tiess and the wieni ilic inspector who Jiobls i4i.it {j 01ir ( ,ugbt t) be Hour, and nor. a cn:np:.uncl ol Hour and cleL; vi mmchemicals.”