WRAPPING OF BREAD

Chronicle (Levin), 28 December 1946, Page 4

WRAPPING OF BREAD

1 1 - New Regulations Not Popular with Bakers ACUTE PAPER SHORTAGE Local bakers are not happy about the proposed new regulations governing the wrapping of bread. The regulations which are expected to be enforced in 1948 require all bread to be wrapped before leaving the bakehouse. If such legislation was enforced the public would have to be content with bread wrapped the day before, said the manager of a Levin establishment. Bread had to be cold before it" could be wrapped, otherwise it would sweat, especially if a wax paper was used. The only other alternative would be to start baking at an earlier hour in the morning and this did not seem a likely possibility in view of the present agitation for daylighi baking. Large firms were in a much better position as they were baking 12 hours ahead but this could not be done by smaller establishments. Under the present method, the bread would have to be wrapped while it was still hot and this would result in a steaming of the loaf which would affect its keeping qualities. If not unwrapped immeditely it was delivered it would go mouldy very quickly. In regard to the legislation enforcing shopkeepers to wrap bread, which is expected to be in operation shortly, he said that such a scheme could not be expected to operate successfully while the present acute shortage of wrapping paper continued. In addition to the question as to where the paper was to come from, was the time worn one of who was to pay for it, he added. In view of the high cost of wrapping paper, the wrapping of bread would cost a farthing a loaf. Would the bakers or consumers pay_ this, or would the Government be willing to subsidise the industry. Commenting on the high cost of wrapping paper, he said he had once bought it for as low as ls lld a ream, now something in the vicin-. i'ty of 6s was being asked.