Pablum, 1931

Suggested by Nadene A. Pablum, a brand of food for infants, was developed in 1931 by three doctors at the Hospital for Sick Children, in Toronto, Ontario. The doctors were searching for a way to prevent Rickets, a crippling childhood disease caused by lack of vitamin D. Their instant precooked cereal was an easy-to-prepare breakfast, and ensured that children got enough vitamin D in their diet. Pablum was the first thoroughly cooked and dried infant cereal. Before, there was a lack of foods available for the very special nutritional requirements of babies. Free of eggs, dairy, lactose and nuts of any kind, it is unlikely to cause allergic reactions. The brand name Pablum, originates from the Latin word Pabulum (pab-you-lum) meaning food. Canadians have adopted ‘Pablum’ as a Canadian household name for all infant cereals.