Eating organs, in 1943, could degrade one's social standing. Americans preferred bland preparations of muscle meat partly because for as long as they could recall, that's what the upper class ate. So powerful are race- and status-based disgusts that explorers have starved to death rather than eat like the locals. British polar exploration suffered heavily for its mealtime snobbery. "The British believed that Eskimo food . . . was beneath a British sailor and certainly unthinkable for a British officer," wrote
In 1943, the consumption of organ meats was seen as socially degrading in America, as the upper classes favored less flavorful muscle meats. This preference was deeply rooted in class distinctions, where lower status foods were rejected by those aspiring to higher social standing. The aversion to certain foods based on race and status contributed to extreme acts, such as explorers refusing to consume local cuisine, even to the point of starvation.
British polar expeditions are a notable example of this food elitism. The belief that traditional Eskimo food was unsuitable for British sailors, particularly officers, led to severe consequences. Author Mary Roach highlights how this snobbery impacted survival, illustrating the lengths to which individuals would go to maintain their perceived social status through dietary choices.
