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 1924
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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77
If these recommendations are carried into force, it will mean that
manufacturers, who are to be allowed two years' grace, will have to
pay strict attention to careful manufacture of prepared foods, and the
use of sound materials, and probably have to improve the quality of
some of their goods.
All this will, no doubt, be to the benefit of the health of the consumer
in the long run.
The following samples examined during the year were found to contain preservatives:—
| Food. | No. Examined. | Preserved. | Percentage Preserved. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butter | 55 | 18 | 32.8 |
| Margarine | 49 | 27 | 55.1 |
| Meat pies | 2 | 2 | 100.0 |
| Cake | 6 | 2 | 33.3 |
| Lime juice cordial | 2 | 2 | 100.0 |
| Lemon squash | 4 | 1 | 25.0 |
| Sauce | 2 | 1 | 50.0 |
| Total | 120 | 53 | 44.1 |
Ice-cream.
During the summer months some attention was paid to the question
of ice-cream. It was found that vendors advertised their products under
various names, some as "ices," and others as "ice-cream," or "creamices."
In the latter case it was found, after examination, that the
article was generally devoid of cream, and consisted of frozen starch
custard.
To vend such a product as "ice-cream" should be regarded as a
similar offence to other forms of adulteration.
Heated Milk.
A large number of the milks examined during the year were found
to have been heated, i.e., raised to a temperature of 180°F, or over.
A considerable trade has quite recently grown up in the Borough in
so called "Sterilised Milk," and no objection is taken to its sale as such.
It is subject to the same control as ordinary milk by the Officers of the
Department, and it must reach the usual milk standards for quality.