Arguments Against Smaller Loaf

Chronicle (Levin), 15 September 1948, Page 7

Arguments Against Smaller Loaf

CHRISTCH UKCH, Sept. 14: The view of Mr. H. E. Fairey, president of tlie Wellington Master Bakers ' Association, that a loaf of llb. Soz. baked from 72 per cent. extraetion flpur, would result in economy in the . use of wheat, is not supported by the general-manager of the -Wheat Conuuittee, Mr. R. MePherson ' ' beeause people tend to eat the saine amount of bread week by week. " "It is indeed doubtful if tliey would eat less if they were sold a llb. 8oz. loaf in place of a llb. 12oz. loaf and they would more than likely objeet to paying the sanie price for a smallor loaf," said Mr. MePherson. ' 'Furthermore, it is estimated that only 25,000 to 30,000 ton of flour is used in the mauufacture of the present llb. 12oz. loaf, so that a reduction of four ounees would mean the saving of only 3500 to 4000. tons of flour per annum, even if the smaller loaf caused people to eat less bread. This would amount to a problematical saving of about 150,000 bushels of wheat each year whereas the actual practiee has demonstrated that with 80 per cent. extraction of flour, ovor 800,000 bushels of wheat per anuuip are being saved. Moreover, the vitamin B1 content of this flour is double that of the 72 per cent. extraction. "