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
Battersea 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
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33
Food Poisoning.
During the year three cases of food poisoning were notified. All
were isolated cases and of a minor nature, and call for no special
comment.
PROTECTION OF FOOD SUPPLY.
(B)—SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
The analysis of samples of food and drugs, procured under the
provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, or informally (i.e.,
without following the procedure prescribed by the Act), and the
examination of samples of heat-treated milk and of ice-cream by the
prescribed tests, is carried out by the Public Analyst for the Borough
(J. E. Woodhead, Esq., B.SC., F.R.I.C., PH.C.) at his laboratory at
325 Kennington Road, London, S.E.11.
In June, 1949, the Council, with the approval of the Minister of
Food, appointed Ronald S. Hatfull, Esq., F.R.I.C. (Branch E), who is
principal Laboratory Assistant to Mr. Woodhead, to be Deputy Public
Analyst.
The percentage of samples reported by the Public Analyst to be adulterated during the quinquennia 1921 to 1945 and yearly from 1946, is given in the following table :
| Year | Formal samples (per cent.) | Informal samples (per cent.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean 1921—1925 | 6.4 | 7.4 | |
| „ 1926—1930 | 3.3 | 2.4 | |
| „ 1931—1935 | 1.8 | 2.1 | |
| „ 1936—1940 | 0.9 | 0.9 | |
| „ 1941—1945 | 1.4 | 1.1 | |
| 1946 | 1.5 | 1.2 | |
| 1947 | 0.5 | 1.7 | |
| 1948 | 0.7 | 0.3 | |
| 1949 | 2.0 | 1.0 | |
The somewhat higher figure for adulterated formal samples is
explained by the fact that it includes seven samples of milk taken
from the same consignment.