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
Kensington 1920
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Summary of the Results of Analysis of the 27 Adulterated Samples, together with a record of the action taken by the Council.
| Article Analysed. | Nature and Amount of Adulteration. | Action taken. |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 19.76 per cent. extraneous water | Proceedings. Fined £10 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Milk | 146 per cent. of the required fat deficient | Proceedings. Fined £3 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Milk | 10.0 per cent. of the required fat deficient | Proceedings dismissed. Warranty defence |
| Milk | 6.3 per cent. extraneous water | No action on account of high percentage of fat |
| Milk | 4 48 per cent. extraneous water | Vendor cautioned |
| Coffee | 25 per cent. of chicory | Vendor cautioned |
| Sausages | 10.78 grains of Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Vinegar | 8.5 per cent. extraneous water | Proceedings. Fined £5 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Vinegar | 7.0 per cent. extraneous water | Proceedings. Fined £5 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Milk | 8.2 per cent. extraneous water | Proceedings. Fined £10 and 15s. 6d. costs |
| Coffee | 20 per cent. Chicory | Vendor cautioned owing to conditions of sale |
| Sausages | 8.351 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Mustard | 23 per cent. Wheat Flour | Proceedings. Fined £5 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Mustard | 20 per cent. Wheat Flour | No action owing to conditions of sale |
| Mustard | 18 per cent. Wheat Flour | No action owing to conditions of sale |
| Mustard | 3 per cent. Wheat Flour | No action |
| Sausage | 9 604 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Sausage | 8'673grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Milk | 3.5 per cent. extraneous water | Vendor cautioned |
| Vinegar | 3.5 per cent. extraneous water | Vendor cautioned |
| Sausages | 917 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Milk | 11.0 per cent. extraneous water | Proceedings dismissed. Warranty defence |
| Sausages | 18.718 grains Boric Acid per pound | Proceedings. Fined £10 and 10s. 6d. costs |
| Sausages | 8'351 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Chicken and Ham Paste | 10.437 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Salmon and Shrimp Paste | 9 604 grains Boric Acid per pound | Vendor cautioned |
| Camphorated Oil | 1.5 per cent. of required Camphor deficient | Vendor cautioned |
It will be seen that proceedings were taken in nine cases, the fines and costs amounting to
£51 18s. 6d.
Margarine and Butter Substitutes.—Under Section 9 of the Margarine Act. 1887, and
Section 7 (4) of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899, manufacturers and wholesale dealers in
margarine and margarine cheese are required to register their premises with the local authority.
By Section 1 (1) of the Butter and Margarine Act, 1907, these requirements were extended to
butter factories and to the premises of wholesale dealers in milk-blended butter. The following
premises in the Borough are registered in accordance with the requirements of the above Act:—
Lipton, Ltd. .... 210, Portobello Road.
„ „ 145, Brompton Road.
E. C. Nicholls 19, Church Street.
Pearks, Ltd. 165, Portobello Road.
Maypole Dairy Co., Ltd. 196, Portobello Road.
Home and Colonial Stores, Ltd. 136, Portobello Road.
„ „ „ 20, Chepstow Mansions.
„ „ „ 71, Notting Hill Gate.
„ „ „ 171, Earl's Court Road.
„ „ „ 98, Golborne Road.
Cream Regulations.—The Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations, 1912, made by the
Local Government Board in pursuance of the powers conferred by Section 1 of the Public Health
(Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, came into force on October 1st, 1912. They prohibit absolutely
the presence of any kind of preservative in milk or in cream containing less than 35 per cent. of
milk fat, and the addition of any thickening substance of any kind except sugar to cream. In the
case of cream containing 35 per cent. of fat or more, the effect of the Regulation is to permit the
addition of boric acid, borax or hydrogen peroxide, provided the cream so preserved is sold in
vessels bearing a label with a printed declaration of the percentage of borax or peroxide which has
been used. The addition of any other kind of preservative is prohibited.