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
Islington 1927
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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22
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
Four hundred and seventy-three samples were taken under
the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, and submitted to the Public
Analyst during the year.
Of this number 368 were purchased officially in conformity
with the provisions of the Acts, and the remaining 105 were
bought informally as " test" samples.
Twelve or 3.2 per cent. of the official samples were certified
by the Public Analyst as being adulterated, or below legal
standard, compared with 1.1 per cent. in 1926
The following Table shows the nature and number of samples analysed, and the number found to be adulterated: —
| Article submitted for Analysis. | No. of Samples Submitted. | Number Genuine. | Number Adulterated. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Samples. | |||
| Milk | 364 | 352 | 12 |
| Separated Milk | 4 | 4 | — |
| Total Official Samples | 368 | 356 | 12 |
| Informal Samples. | |||
| Butter | 20 | 20 | — |
| Cream | 15 | 15 | — |
| Cocoa | 10 | 10 | — |
| Coffee | 19 | 19 | — |
| Camphorated Oil | 3 | 3 | — |
| Flour | 10 | 10 | — |
| Lard | 12 | 12 | — |
| Mustard | 9 | 9 | — |
| Medicinal Prescriptions | 3 | 3 | — |
| Salmon and Shrimp Paste | 1 | 1 | — |
| Tincture of Bark | 3 | 3 | — |
| Total Informal Samples | 105 | 105 | |
| Totals, all Samples | 473 | 461 |
Milk. — 364 samples of milk were submitted for analysis
and of this number twelve or 3.2 per cent. were certified as
adulterated or below the standard fixed by the Board of Agriculture
and Fisheries. The average composition of these milk
samples is set out below:—