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The Almighty Carrot ...

H.M. Government/Ministry of Food (?)

British tiny tots enjoying (well maybe) carrot ice lollies. During the war (and, indeed, for some time after) the British Ministry of Food was anxious to encourage the populace to switch from imported food produce and other food products difficult to produce or obtain under the semi-siege (later financial strictures) imposed by wartime and postwar conditions to produce and products easily grown, manufactured or otherwise obtained in Britain. The humble carrot was one of these "alternative" fruits and vegetables strongly promoted. Carrots, after all, could easily be grown down on the farm, in people's gardens, and in urban allotments. Apart from their direct use as a vegetable directly on the plate and in stews and suchlike, the relatively high sugar content of the carrot allowed it to be used in other products, such as sweeteners, and in condiments and cooking aids such as stock cubes. To my mind, however, the carrot ice lolly may have been pushing things a bit. The motivation is obvious. In a period predating the widespread use of artificial sweeteners, children's ice lollipops were usually based on natural fruit juices - principally orange and lemon. Oranges and lemons were very hard to procure in wartime Britain, as the usual sources of supply in southern Europe were pretty inaccessible. Given its sugar content, the carrot ice lolly seemed a suitable substitute, and was strongly promoted within the overall "Dr Carrot - the Children's Friend" pro-carrot propaganda. Not sure that kids found the substitute particularly palatable. These ones don't look too overjoyed, anyway ... Best regards, JR.