What do you meant the cooking habits were worst in the '40s?
Then we allowed ourselves to build up immunities, to have our bodies fight viruses and bacteria but now we are afraid of our own kitchens?
Better?
I think it is much worst that the past. People used to take their time cooking, there wasn't the massive recalls or massive sickness back then. Most of the food was processed locally, most of the produce was grown locally and it was much safer than now.
Just watch some helicopter parents with their kids, can't play outside in the dirt, can't play with other kids who may be a bit dirty, got to whip out those anti-bacterial/anti-viral/anti-everything soap and wash down everything the kid may touch, even the stove and back splash.
I like the people who have cutting boards for everything; One for Fruit, One for Veggies, One for Veggies that may have salmonella, One for Fish, One for Pork, One for Chicken and One for Beef - all color coded and all washed in a bleach every time they are used. I can't understand how a parent can tell their kids "you are not allowed to use a sharp knife because you may kill yourself" at the same time thinking that fast food or food at the food court is safe.