Historical information

Robinson's Patent Groats were a type of cereal product consisting of the hulled and crushed kernels of grains, likely oats or a similar cereal. They were marketed as a nutritious food, particularly for invalids, infants, and children. They were widely used throughout the 1930s until the 1950s. This container was produced after 1938 when the name "Reckitt & Colman Ltd" was adopted.

Reckitt & Sons, a British manufacturer of household products, opened its first overseas business in Australia in 1886. In 1938, the British parent company, Reckitt & Sons, merged with J. & J. Colman (a mustard and food products business) to form Reckitt & Colman Ltd. This company then operated in Australia as Reckitt & Colman Australia Ltd. They traded as Colman-Keen (Australasia) Ltd, Australia in New Zealand until 1940.
In 1995 the Colman’s brand was demerged from R & C and sold off to Unilever (UK) Ltd, then in 1999 the company merged with Benckiser NV to become Reckitt Benckiser which is now the largest supplier of cleaning products worldwide.

Significance

This item is significant because it was used widely throughout Australia by mothers to improve nutrition of their children.

Physical description

The packaging for this cereal is a red and yellow cardboard cylinder with a metal base and lid. The label does not list specific ingredients. The 'Directions for use' give instructions on how to prepare gruel and porridge from the groats.

Inscriptions & markings

On front of container:-
ROBINSON'S
PATENT
GROATS
COOKS IN ONE MINUTE
FOR NURSING MOTHERS
WEANED CHILDREN & INVALIDS

On Base
88
ROBINSON'S "PATENT" BARLEY AND "PATENT GROATS
LETTERS PATENT GRANTED 1823
NOW EXPIRED
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