THE MEAT SAFE / FOOD SAFE - A COMPULSORY PIECE OF FURNITURE IN ANGLO-INDIAN HOMES IN THE OLDEN DAYS

A meat safe was a compulsory piece of furniture in Anglo-Indian homes in the olden days and every family a couple of them. The Meat Safes were wooden storage cupboards with wire mesh on all four sides. The cooked food and milk and vegetables was usually stored in them to keep fresh over night  as there were no refrigerators at that time. The ‘Meat Safe or Food Safe’ was also quite necessary to protect the food from cats, mice, and insects as well. In order to deter ants from crawling up and attaching the food, The four legs of the Meat Safe was placed in four small containers of water or ant powder. It was as if the Food was protected by a moat.
The Meat Safe or Dooley is now a part of history as it is rarely seen in homes these days.