The discourse of scientific knowledge of nutrition and dietary change in the twentieth century

For several decades before the First World War scientists had been discontented with the lack of governmental support for their activities, and the war offered an opportunity for them to display the utility of their knowledge (Turner 1980). The Royal Society helped to press the claim that scientists could play special roles in the pursuit of the war, and quickly became involved in initiatives concerned with munitions’ research and development. In March 1916, however, the Royal Society set up a committee to consider food problems, at a time when the government was still reluctant to undertake any substantial intervention in the food system (Barnett 1985).