Economic and financial section > Problem of nutrition

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Products offered for sale are inspected by means of the taking of
samples and analyses.
Every year, some 40,000 samples of foodstuffs, beverages and
agricultural products are taken in the whole of France. Suspect samples
are reported to the judicial authorities, and the courts are then called
upon to inflict on the guilty parties the penalties by law provided.
Since the establishment of the service, the situation has certainly
improved considerably. The grosser forms of adulteration are becoming
more and more rare ; but the progress of science has placed new weapons
in the hands of the adulterators. Adulteration is now more scientific,
and consequently more difficult to detect, particularly where the
supervision cannot be exercised at the place of manufacture.
International co-operation is therefore highly desirable for the purpose
of combating adulteration more effectively. Such international action
would imply the conclusion of a convention embodying more definite
directions in connection with the specification of the composition
of certain foodstuffs, and the definition of licit and illicit trade
practices, together with the steps to be taken in the event of the
detection of adulteration.
Organisation of Certain Special Systems of Supervision.
Dietetic Supervision in the Army [Home Troops).
Appropriate steps are taken for the inspection of each article of food
as it arrives, both by the supply services and by the various units.
The general rules already mentioned are strictly applied in the army.
Finally, information is given concerning the steps taken to ensure that
foodstuffs shall contain the proper proportion of so-called protective
substances (minerals and vitamins). General instructions issued by the
Ministry of War specify the proportion of these substances that the
various articles of food should contain. The best average daily ration
for the various units, living under ordinary conditions, is thus
established.
Dietetic Supervision in the Army {Colonial Troops).
The general principles observed for inspection in the home army are
also applied in the colonial army. Certain special points concern the
diet of soldiers serving in the colonies.
Dietetic Supervision in the Navy.
A detailed memorandum on this subje.ct is preceded by certain
information on the sailors's diet :
(а) On shore service or in surface vessels ;
(б) In submarines.