Food File - Series 4

Record ID: 120132
  • Title: Food File - Series 4
  • Date: 23rd March 1995
  • Summary: Meat is on the menu in Channel 4's popular, hard hitting consumer programme which looks at the great British fear of offal, one of Britain's oldest butchers and an Irish cook's beef and Guinness stew. Food File also investigates the controversy over marketing artificial baby milk. This month the government refused to place a ban on the advertising of manufactured baby milk despite protests from groups including the British Medical Association, Save The Children and UNICEF. Pressure groups like Baby Milk Action are continuing to lobby for change in the law, with the support of many Members of Parliament. In Trade Secrets Food File investigates the mixed messages new mothers receive in hospitals and clinics about the value of breast feeding. Both mothers and health workers are showered with promotional material from artificial baby milk companies in hospitals and health care facilities. The report looks at the disturbing implications for mothers and babies if advertising and promotion of artificial baby milk continues on the same scale. Food writer and author Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall takes a trip to Smithfield market in the early hours of the morning, revealing a scene from the inside of Hannibal Lecter's larder; curious cuts of butchered animal piled high ready for the kitchens of fashionable restaurants. Along with Observer food critic John Lanchester and chef at the Four Seasons In The Park restaurant Jean Christophe Novelli, he defends it as a cheap nutritious food, capable of becoming a gourmet feast in the hands of the right cook. Charles Campion continues the Save Our Shops Campaign which defends small and specialist shops from the threat of the superstore. Charles believes buying just one item a week from a small or specialist store will help to secure the future of our high streets. Food File continues the campaign for the next few weeks. Channel Four together with a number of independent retailer organisations will distribute SOS stickers to their members - small and local shops, helping to get the campaign to the grassroots. This week, to illustrate how special these shops are he takes us inside one of the oldest butchers in Britain. RJ Balson and Son in Bridport, Devon has been in the same family since 1535, and has a particular reputation for selling fine quality game. World in a Stew has an Irish flavour this week. Baker Margaret Joyce lives in Bethnal Green but her cooking was learned at home in County Galway in Ireland. She demonstrates traditional soda bread. The ubiquitous Guinness features heavily in a braised beef dish, accompanied by colcannon - the ultimate Irish comfort food - cabbage and mashed potato with a deep well of melting butter in the middle. Tradition says a gold wedding ring, a sixpence, a maid's thimble and a bachelor's button are hidden in the dish. Whichever one the eater finds indicates their fate.
  • Description:FOURTH SERIES OF THIS VERY SUCCESSFUL INVESTIGATIVE AND INFORMATIVE FOOD SERIES.
  • Broadcaster:Channel 4
  • Collection: Channel 4
  • Genre:Documentary and Factual
  • Producer:Stephens Kerr Ltd.
  • Programme Episode:Episode 2
  • Transmission Date:23/03/1995
  • Rights:On Request
  • Decade: 1990s
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