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 1929
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Poplar, Metropolitan Borough]
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75
It will be observed that the proportion of adulterated samples which
had been steadily increasing has now fallen.
The average adulteration for the London Boroughs during 1928 was
at the rate of 3.52 per cent., and for the whole of England and Wales,
5.8 per cent.
The number of samples examined was in the ratio of 4.94 per 1,000
of the population, as compared with an average of 8.99 per 1,000 for the
London Boroughs, and 3.4 per 1,000 for the whole of England and Wales.
The following samples were found to contain preservatives:—
| Article. | Number examined. | Percentage preserved. |
|---|---|---|
| Dried fruit | ||
| Fresh meat | ||
| Lemon squash | ||
| Lime juice cordial | ||
| Malt vinegar | 9 | 33.3 |
| Sausage | ||
| Sweets | ||
| Tapioca | ||
| Total | 31.3 |
The number of samples containing preservatives shows a considerable
decline on previous years. In only 5 of these cases were there contraventions
of the Preservatives Regulations.
The practice of polishing rice grains with talc or French chalk,
which appeared to have disappeared for some years, was again noticed.
Four of the 8 samples examined contained small amounts of talc. Two
samples of sweets were also found to have been treated with talc.
Milks .
410 samples of milk were examined, of which 16 were found to be
adulterated. This is at the rate of 3.9 per cent. In the previous year,
4.4 per cent. were found to be adulterated.
The quality of the milk supply generally was good, the composition
being well up to average.