London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Battersea 1964
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Battersea Borough]
This page requires JavaScript
43
Ice-Cream.
Thirty-four samples of ice-cream were taken during the year, each
sample being submitted to the methylene blue test.
The samples were, as a result of the test, placed grades:— in the following
| Provisional Grade 1 | 19 |
| „ „ 2 | 6 |
| „ „ 3 | 4 |
| „ „4 | 5 |
| 34 |
| Salmonella brandenburg | 7 |
| Salmonella st. Paul | 1 |
| Salmonella typhi Murium | 1 9 |
| The causative organism of the remaining case was not identified. | |
Foreign Matter in Food.
There were four instances of foreign matter in food reported to the
Health Committee during the year. In two cases the Committee instructed
that no further action should be taken owing to lack of proof that the
foreign matter was in the food at the time of sale.
The case of a doughnut containing a large lump of black doughy
material was dealt with by a cautionary letter to the firm concerned.
On analysis, the foreign matter proved to consist of uncooked starch,
mineral oil and grease, iron particles and atmospheric dirt, the dough
having been in contact with a lubricated surface, of a machine used in
the manufacturing process.
In the fourth case, which proved to be mineral oil with particles of
carbon in a bread roll, no observations were received from the firm
concerned, and legal proceedings were taken. The firm pleaded SUI'ty>
and a fine of £50 was imposed, and costs of £7 7s. Od. were awarded
to the Council.
Unsound Food
The following table gives particulars of the unsound food which,
under the provision of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, Section
180 (8), were voluntarily surrended to the Council.