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
Lewisham 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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Adulterated samples
Table 36
| Article | Formal or Informal | Adulteration or irregularity | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sausages | Informal | 130 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | Formal sample taken and found to be genuine. |
| Tangerines (4) | Informal | 15, 13, 11 and 10 parts of thiourea per million. | Unable to trace country of origin or importers. Report sent to Ministry of Food. |
| Oranges (4) | Informal | 14, 11, 12 and 26 parts of thiourea per million. | Further samples to be taken. All samples imported from Spain. Report sent to Ministry of Food, who will deal with the matter. |
| Sausages | Formal | 330 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | Warning letter sent. |
| Hot milk | Formal | Added water 21.6% Fat deficient 43.5% | Summons withdrawn. In correctly served. |
| Hot milk | Formal | Fat deficient 14% | |
| Bread and butter | Formal | Bread and margarine | Fined 10s. £2 costs. |
| Hot milk | Formal | Added water 5.4% | Fined £2. £1 1s. 0d. costs. |
| Bread and butter | Formal | Bread and margarine | Fined £2. |
| Milk | Formal | Fat deficient 26% | Fined £3. £1 1s. 0d. costs. |
| Milk | Formal | Added water 11.5% | Summons dismissed. Owner. ship not proved. |
| Bread and butter | Formal | Bread and margarine | |
| Hot milk | Formal | Fat deficient 20% | Fined £3. £1 1s. 0d. costs. |
| Sausages | Informal | 155 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | Notices displayed at subsets quent visit. |
| Sausages | Informal | 220 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | |
| Milk | Formal | Added water 20.9% Fat deficient 21.5% | Fined £3. £2 2s. 0d. costs. |
| Hot milk | Formal | Added water 14.7% Fat deficient 25% | Fined £3. £1 1s. Od. costs. |
| Buttered toast | Formal | Margarine on toast. | Fined £3. £2 2s. Od. costs. |
| Sausages | Informal | 295 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | Sausages were correctly labelled. |
| Sausages | Informal | 275 parts of sulphur dioxide per million. | Notice displayed at subsequent visit. |
Other samples
In addition to samples submitted to the public analyst from routine
sampling, the following were also submitted either to the public analyst
or for bacteriological examination.
They were submitted for various reasons, but mainly because of
complaints received, or as a result of enquiries made into cases of food
poisoning:—
Sausages (4) Tap water (2)
Olive oil River water
Meat (2) Mud deposit
Cake (2) Liquor hamamelidis
Cemetery water Bread
Cellar water (3) Desiccated coconut