362 EXPERIMENT STATION EECOED. 



FOODS— HUMAN NUTRITION. 



Report of the commissiou to investig'ate the subject of the cold storage of 

 food and of food products kept in cold storage (Boston: State, 1912, pp. 308, 

 chart 1). — After an exhaustive study of the subject the commission reached a 

 number of conclusions and made recommendations. 



"In general, the commission recognizes that cold storage is a fundamental 

 necessity in the distribution of the food supply of the nation. In the first 

 place, it enables perishable food products to be brought to market with the 

 least possible deterioration ; in the second place, it enables the surplus of such 

 products in the season of natural plenty to be carried over to meet the demand 

 in the season of natural scarcity. The latter is the principal economic function 

 of cold storage. It acts as a means of distributing the seasonal output of 

 perishable foodstuffs evenly over the market year, thus helping to equalize 

 supply and demand." 



The general conclusions reached are thus summarized : 



"A progressive deterioration takes place in perishable food products kept in 

 cold storage; the changes naturally occurring are greatly retarded by refrig- 

 eration, but are not absolutely suspended. Therefore, a food product that has 

 been held in cold storage is never just as good as the perfectly fresh article, 

 other conditions being equal. 



"The deterioration taking place during cold storage first appears in a 

 change in flavor, which may affect the palatability of the food, but does not 

 necessarily affect its wholesomeness or nutritive value. 



"The length of time during which an article of food held in cold storage 

 can be kept wholesome and fit for consumption varies for different com- 

 modities. The period of proper preservation for any particular commodity de- 

 pends largely on the methods of handling and preparing for cold storage. 

 Scientific investigation in this field has not yet been carried far enough to 

 enable one to fix normal time limits of cold storage for different commodities. 



" On the whole, prolongation of cold storage beyond one year, even under 

 correct conditions, appears to be undesirable, and prejudicial to the public 

 health," 



With respect to regulation, the commission recommends : 



" Cold storage warehouses should be subject to the supervision of the state 

 board of health, and should be required to take out licenses and submit regular 

 reports. The main object of the proposed inspection is to ensure the proper 

 condition of goods upon entry into storage and their proper treatment during 

 the storage period. 



" Food products deposited in cold storage should be marked with the dates 

 of receipt into storage and of withdrawal from storage. . . . 



" The time for which food products may be held in cold storage should be 

 limited to 12 months, with discretionary power vested in the state board of 

 health to extend the time limit for particular consignments of goods, and also 

 to fix a shorter time limit than 12 months for any article of food, if such further 

 restriction of the storage period should be found upon investigation to be 

 desirable. . . . 



" The fraudulent sale of cold storage products as fresh goods should be pro- 

 hibited. It is generally admitted that the purchaser has a right to know 

 whether he is getting cold storage or fresh food. . . . 



" The return to cold storage of goods that have once been withdrawn and 

 placed on the market for sale to consumers should be prohibited. Such goods 

 are presumably not in fit condition for further storage. The prohibition of 



