London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Bermondsey 1956
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1956
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FOOD CONTROL.
Public Analyst
The Public Analyst, Mr. A. P. Davson, retired on 30th September,
1956, after nearly 30 years' service with the Council. He was succeeded
by Mr. D. G. Allen, who had been Deputy Public Analyst since 1949.
Mr. Davson was appointed Public Analyst in January, 1927 and
took over two rooms in the old Tuberculosis Dispensary at 108 Grange
Road. When the new Public Health Centre was built in 1936 a fully
equipped laboratory was incorporated for the use of the Public Analyst.
Control of the Public Health Centre was, alas, lost to the Council with
the passing of the National Health Service Act in 1948 and Mr. Allen
has had to make arrangements for his accommodation with the Ministry
of Health.
PUBLIC HEALTH (IMPORTED FOOD) REGULATION, 1937/48. FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955. Sixty-five samples were taken during the year by the Wharves Inspectors.
| Article Examined | No. of Samples | Purpose of Examination | Result | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackcurrant Pulp | 1 | For presence of preservatives | Satisfactory | Released |
| Bubble Gum | 1 | To ascertain composition | „ „ | „ |
| Butter | 5 | To ascertain condition | „ „ | „ |
| Carrots, Dried | 1 | For presence of preservatives | „ „ | „ |
| Cream, Tinned | 2 | To ascertain condition | „ „ | „ |
| Cucumbers, Canned | 11 | For presence of preservatives | „ „ | Released with warning regarding labelling |
| Cucumbers, Canned | 1 | „ „ | Benzoic Acid 650 parts per million | Consignment reexported |
| „ „ | 1 | „ „ | Benzoic Acid 610 parts per million | Consignment detained |