Virol, also stylised as ViRoL, was a British twentieth century brand of malt extract preparation that also included bone marrow, and was designed as a nutritional supplement for the feeding of infants.

Ingredients

The original ingredients of Virol were red marrow extracted by the use of

glycerol Glycerol (), also called glycerine in British English and glycerin in American English, is a simple triol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic. The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known ...

from the rib bones of cattle and the bones of calves, refined beef fat, diastatic malt (containing a mixture of

amylase An amylase () is an enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of starch (Latin ') into sugars. Amylase is present in the saliva of humans and some other mammals, where it begins the chemical process of digestion. Foods that contain large amounts of ...

s that convert starch into maltose and

dextrin Dextrins are a group of low-molecular-weight carbohydrates produced by the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen. Dextrins are mixtures of polymers of D-glucose units linked by α-(1→4) or α-(1→6) glycosidic bonds. Dextrins can be produced from ...

), eggs, lemon syrup and soluble phosphates. This emulsified product was rich in nutrients and the manufacturing process did not destroy the vitamin content. Later, orange juice replaced lemon juice.

Ownership and production

Virol was first made in 1899 as an experimental product by

Bovril Bovril is the trademarked name of a thick and salty meat extract paste similar to a yeast extract, developed in the 1870s by John Lawson Johnston. It is sold in a distinctive bulbous jar, and as cubes and granules. Bovril is owned and distrib ...

in their London factory in

Old Street Old Street is a street in inner north-east Central London that runs west to east from Goswell Road in Clerkenwell, in the London Borough of Islington, via St Luke's and Old Street Roundabout, to the crossroads where it meets Shoreditch High ...

, and was designed as a nutritional supplement for the feeding of infants. A company was set up to manufacture it the following year. Demand grew, and by the 1920s, production was transferred to a larger, more modern factory in

Perivale Perivale () is an area of Greater London, west of Charing Cross. It is the smallest of the seven towns which make up the London Borough of Ealing. Perivale is mostly residential, with a library, community centre, a number of parks and open ...

. Before World War II the version "Virol and Milk" was established as a direct competitor to

Horlicks Horlicks is a sweet malted milk hot drink powder developed by founders James and William Horlick. It was first sold as "Horlick's Infant and Invalids Food", soon adding "aged and travellers" to their label. In the early 20th century, it was s ...

. During the war, production ceased as the ingredients became too difficult or costly to acquire. After the war, production resumed and the brand changed hands several times with consolidation in the food processing industry, to Cavenham Foods in 1971, Janks Brothers in 1977, and Optrex in 1979. It was discontinued in the 1980s.

Promotion and purposes

In 1929, the product was exhibited at the British Industries Fair. Originally designed as a nutritional supplement for the feeding of infants, some children who grew up in the 1940s remember the weekly visit of the Virol Lady to their primary school, doling out spoonfuls of the sweet, sticky brown product to each child who had brought a penny to school for the purpose. Virol was initially supplied in ceramic jars of different sizes. By the 1950s it was marketed in brown glass jars as a health supplement. Alternative suggested usages were as a nerve tonic to treat depression and nervousness, for which purpose it was called 'Virol and Milk', and as a

laxative Laxatives, purgatives, or aperients are substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. They are used to treat and prevent constipation. Laxatives vary as to how they work and the side effects they may have. Certain stimulant, lubri ...

under the trade name 'Virolax'. The product was advertised on orange-navy-and-white, enamelled metal wall plaques as being of benefit to various groups; "Anaemic girls need it", "Growing boys need it", "School children need it", "Delicate children need it" and the more generic "For health and vitality". In an advertisement in ''

Punch Punch commonly refers to: * Punch (combat), a strike made using the hand closed into a fist * Punch (drink), a wide assortment of drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, generally containing fruit or fruit juice Punch may also refer to: Places * Pun ...

'' magazine in November 1950, an illustration of a boy giving a girl a piggyback was accompanied by the slogan "CHILDREN GROW STRONG ON VIROL. Virol is the food for growth. It provides these essential food factors – not vitamins alone, but also many others just as important – which are likely to be deficient in the rest of the diet. ''Give Virol after every meal''. Children love the flavour of Virol and they thrive on it."

References

{{reflist Dietary supplements Malt

Ingredients

Ownership and production

Promotion and purposes

See also

References