Cay Health Foods
History
The Birth of an Industry

    The first vitamin wasn't even isolated until 1911 and, although much has been learned since then, the
    science of nutrition is still in its infancy.  The human body is a very complex organism and scientists may
    always debate how to keep it free from disease.  How did the health food industry even develop in this
    country?

They Ruined a Good Thing

    Well, not really.  You can't stop progress. In the late 1890's, new farm machinery helped farmers and food
    processors become more efficient.  While this machinery produced a uniform, nice looking white flour, it
    also removed the germ from wheat and other whole grains along with most of the vitamins and minerals.  
    The late Dr. Paul Dudley White(1886-1973), heart specialist awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
    by Lyndon Johnson in 1964, blamed the refining of our grains for the increasing number of heart attacks,  
    He said, several years before his death, that he did not find heart disease in his patients until the early
    1900's.

    By removing the germ, the flour had a much longer shelf life but this process destroyed or eliminated 22
    vitamins and minerals.  This refining process continued until 1941.  World War II began and strong bodies
    were needed to defend our country.  The government mandated whited flour be "enriched".  Of the 22
    nutritional compounds removed only four were replaced:  niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and iron.

Looking for a Better Way

    As the processing of foods accelerated in the US, various illnesses, such as diabetes, arthritis and
    nervous disorders, began to increase.  In the 1920's and 30's people began to look for alternatives.  
    Among some of the philosophies explored were the German Reformhaus movement and the English
    vegetarian movement.  These doctrines involved natural foods, herbs, and related products with an
    emphasis on lifestyle.  A nutritious food supply was combined with fresh air, exercise, and baths.

    In 1894 W.K. Kellogg and his brother, Dr. John Kellogg invented a method of flaking ready-to-eat cereals
    for use at their Battle Creek sanitarium.  These flaked cereals were an instant hit.  They were convenient,
    took no preparation, and could be stored for fairly long periods without spoiling.

    Early natural foods stores began to open in the 1930's and were stocked with cracked wheat cereal,
    whole wheat flour, unsulphured molasses, pure honey, and sun-dried, unsulphured fruits like dates,
    raisins, prunes, and figs.  Some of the early stores carried the famous Battle Creek Sanitarium Foods line
    of about 25 products.  In order to carry the Battle Creek line a retailer had to pass a test on product
    knowledge and nutrition given by the Sanitarium.

The Beginning of Supplementation

    In the early 1940's a new class of products began to emerge, vitamin and mineral tablets.  The early
    pioneers in this business were Eugene Schiff, founder of Schiff Products, and George Spitzer, founder
    of American Health Products which touted a product called Tam Jam used to promote natural
    elimination.

    In 1950 Gayelord Hauser published Look Younger, Live Longer which was a best seller for weeks.  In it
    Hauser promoted his five wonder foods:  brewers' yeast, blackstrap molasses, wheat germ, low-fat skim
    milk powder, and yogurt.

    The queen of the health food business is still considered to be Adelle Davis.  Her first book, You Can Get
    Well, was published in 1939 and sent people in droves to health food stores looking for vitamin and
    mineral supplements to improve their health.  Her other books, published in 1954 and later, brought
    international fame to her and a blossoming health food industry.

    Many changes have occurred since those early days.  Most notably a shift in age groups.  While early
    pioneers helped older Americans deal with the ravages of old age, today we see a much younger
    clientele that has learned from their parents that eating well may lead to longer, healthier, and more
    active lives.