Washington, D.C., health officials had a blunt warning for food and drink vendors in the summer of 1923: keep it clean or face arrest.
Dr. William C. Fowler ordered lunch stands to cover exposed food and drinks, sterilize reusable glasses, and use paper drinking cups when possible. Bowls of lemonade and similar beverages were also required to remain covered.
The crackdown was not merely precautionary. One vendor had already been arrested after authorities discovered he was using water from a horse trough for cooking. Another reportedly faced arrest simply for refusing to cover his stand.
Must Keep Clean
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. William C. Fowler, District health officer, today warned lunch and drink stands to keep food well covered, under penalty of arrest.
Use of unsterilized glasses will not be tolerated, he said. Paper drinking cups were recommended.
Bowls containing lemonade and the like must be kept covered.
One stand proprietor was arrested for using horse-trough water for cooking yesterday.
Another was ordered arrested because he refused to cover his stand.
Source: The Washington Daily News. Washington, D.C. June 2, 1923.
