FOOD PROPERTIES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20540, 15 February 1935, Page 13

FOOD PROPERTIES.

Lecture by Dr T. Fletcher Telford. An interesting address on foods, their values and methods of preservation, was given last night by Dr T. Fletcher Telford to the Christchurch branch of the Royal Sanitary Institute. Dr Telford dealt with the chemical compounds of foods and their qualities, and then discussed the conditions under which foods should be stored. Wheat, kept properly, would last almost indefinitely, but if subjected to damp would germinate, and become subject to mould and mildew. Beans of all varieties also contained carbo-hydrates, and they also contained more proteins than the grains. They were subject to attack by weevils and moths. The Mediterranean moth was one of the greatest pests. Nuts contained quite an amount of protein and also fatty oils. They had to be stored under good, cool conditions, lest the fatty content should become rancid. They also were subject to the assaults of vermin. Ordinary vegetables were essential for well being, and it was from them that the water-soluble vitamins were obtained. Most countries had particular fruits, with imported varieties as well. Much of the imported fruits reached the market in good condition. Of oranges, the Australian and Island varieties were of the greatest value economically. Bananas -were amongst the most popular imported fruits. The meat foods were, in this coun- ! try, the flesh of the sheep, the pig and the ox, with poultry, game birds, fish and crustaceans. The proteins were in a state enabling them to be assimilated by the human economy wi*h- ; out any great effort. Certain varieties of fish and crustaceans produced ; rashes on some people. , The oyster was almost as good an : all-round food as milk, and had proI parties valuable in certain anaemic _ cases. Ordinary Meeting. ; Prior to the lecture an ordinary . meeting of the institute was held. - The election of officers resulted: President. Dr T. Fletcher Telford; secretary, Mr M. Kershaw: committee. Dr 1 A. B. Pearson (medical profession). 1 Messrs V. R. J. Hean (architects), A. i R. Galbraith (engineers). J. W. Higgins ■ and H. K. Whittington (sanitary inspectors and health inspectors).