CAB129-52 — Page 195

Page 195

Printed for the Cabinet. June 1952

SECRET

C. (52) 200

CABINET OFFICE

RECORD COPY

18th June, 1952

CABINET

Copy No.

74

THE ADEQUACY OF THE NATIONAL DIET

MEMORANDUM BY THE MINISTER OF FOOD

I circulate herewith for the information of my colleagues a note prepared by my Scientific Adviser on methods of assessing the adequacy of the national diet. I am also circulating a separate note (C. (52) 201) on certain special and urgent problems relating to the supply of bacon, eggs and fats which arise in the paper circulated by the Chancellor (C. (52) 195).

2. The main conclusions of this note may be briefly summarised as follows:

(a) The most important single measure of the adequacy of the diet is its calorie level. Food supplies should be sufficient to provide a national average of at least 2,900 calories per head per day. Below this figure there are increasing risks of reductions in the growth rates of both adults and children and/or of decreased activity, which would in turn. be reflected in lowered industrial productivity.

'

(b) The calorie value of the food supplies in 1952, following the cuts in imports agreed in November 1951 and January 1952 is estimated at about 2,830. This is already below the 1947 level of 2,880, during which year there was evidence of appreciable losses in weight in both adults and children. Any further reduction would, on the basis of our experience in 1941, involve increasing risks of "impaired health and working efficiency." At a time when every effort is being made to increase industrial productivity, the potential bearing of this on the nation's economic position needs no elaboration. This reduction in calorie value is more serious than before the war when, whatever other nutritional deficiencies there may have been, sufficient energy" foods were available fairly cheaply. (c) Unless the diet is reasonably varied and palatable there is a risk that, irrespective of its calorie value, the amount of food consumed may not be sufficient to maintain normal growth, to preserve morale and to secure a high standard of working efficiency. From this aspect the 1952 pattern of consumption already compares unfavourably with that of 1950 and still more with that of the pre-war years. Indeed, for most of the more palatable and concentrated foods the levels of consumption will only slightly exceed those of the lowest pre-war income group, and represent a reversion of the diet to a pattern comparable to that of about fifty years ago.

3. My colleagues will realise that the statement we made against the last Government, that the population is on a diet comparable with that of the unemployed pre-war, is in danger of being proved true now.

I would ask my colleagues to consider very earnestly whether, if our people are to maintain the stamina and energy needed for the great production effort which clearly lies before the nation, we can afford to consider the possibility of further cuts in our basic food.

Ministry of Food, S.W.1,

18th June, 1952.

Page 429560f 200

G. LL.-G.

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