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
Poplar 1923
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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70
In many instances, undoubtedly, their use is unnecessary, and at
times excessive, but for want of authoritative standards, the Analyst
in reporting must express opinions based on his own knowledge and
experience.
One sample of milk only out of the 437 examined was found to contain
a preservative, and all were free from artificial colouring matters.
Other samples found to contain preservatives are set out in the following table:—
| Food. | Examined. | Preserved. | Percentage Preserved. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | 43 | 22 | 51.2 |
| Margarine | 47 | 44 | 93.6 |
| Cake | 6 | 3 | 50.0 |
| Lemon curd | 2 | 2 | 100.0 |
| Lemon squash | 3 | 3 | 100.0 |
| Lime juice cordial | 1 | 1 | 100.0 |
| Cordials | 2 | 1 | 50.0 |
| Coffee essence | 1 | 1 | 100.0 |
| Sausage | 13 | 4 | 30.3 |
| Fish paste | 1 | 1 | 100.0 |
| Total | 119 | 82 | 68.9 |
Cocoa.
Fourteen samples of cocoa powder were examined, all of which
contained some form of added alkali.
In some cases the cocoa powder was sold as "pure cocoa," and
consequently the vendors were cautioned.
In one case this called for a protest from the manufacturer, who
objected to his product being considered impure.
The attitude adopted has always been that when cocoa powder is
sold as pure cocoa without any qualifying description of brand or name,
it should be the pure product of the cocoa-bean without the addition of
any other substance.