Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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75
FOOD GENERALLY
Adulteration of food
The number of samples taken during the year under the Food and Drugs Act was
995; of these 16 were formal and 979 informal. After examination the public analyst
reported that 85 of the samples were adulterated below standard or insufficiently
described by the label which amounted to 8.5 per cent of all the samples submitted.
Table 56
Samples Analysed
Articles | Examined | Adulterated | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Formal | Informal | Total | Formal | Informal | Total | |
Beverages | — | 14 | 14 | — | — | — |
Bread, Biscuits, Cakes | — | 35 | 35 | — | 7 | 7 |
Colouring matter | 1 | 16 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Cheese | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | — |
Drugs | — | 28 | 28 | — | 2 | 2 |
Fats | — | 24 | 24 | — | 1 | 1 |
Fish | — | 44 | 44 | — | — | — |
Flour | — | 13 | 13 | — | 3 | 3 |
Flavourings and condiments | 4 | 206 | 210 | 3 | 12 | 15 |
Fruit and nuts | — | 119 | 119 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Icecream | — | 14 | 14 | — | — | — |
Jam, pastes | 1 | 17 | 18 | — | — | — |
Meats | 4 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
Milk and cream | 1 | 121 | 122 | — | 12 | 12 |
Sausages | — | 68 | 68 | — | 10 | 10 |
Soft drinks | 1 | 27 | 28 | — | 2 | 2 |
Sweet confectionery | 1 | 28 | 29 | — | — | — |
Vegetables and cereals | — | 34 | 34 | — | 5 | 5 |
Wines | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | — |
Miscellaneous | 3 | 81 | 84 | 4 | 11 | 15 |
TOTALS | 16 | 905 | 921 | 10 | 75 | 85 |
Table 57
Non-genuine samples
Article | Formal or Informal | Adulteration or irregularity | Action taken |
---|---|---|---|
Cochineal colouring | Informal | Sample not made from cochineal | Formal sample to be taken |
Blackcurrant health drink | Informal | Incorrect labelling | Formal sample to be taken |
Cranadilla, canned | Informal | Contained excessive tin | Letter to retailer |
Powdered thyme | Informal | Contained excessive lead | Letter to retailer |
Dehydrated mint flakes | Informal | Contained excessive sand and silicious matter | Letter to retailer |
Aspic jelly powder | Informal | Incorrect labelling | Letter to retailer |