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
City of Westminster 1930
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]
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128
The quality of the milk sampled has improved this year in
comparison with that of last year.
Of the total 910 samples of milk taken during the year, 48 were
obtained on Sundays. One of the latter proved to be adulterated,
21 per cent of the fat being abstracted. The vendor was prosecuted
and a fine of £5 inflicted.
Legal Proceedings for Adulteration.—Of the 21 adulterated samples, 10 were considered sufficiently serious to warrant prosecution. Details of the offences and results of proceedings are set out below.
| Milk— | Fine. | Costs. |
|---|---|---|
| 11 per cent. of fat abstracted | £2 0s. | — |
| 2.7 per cent. of fat abstracted | £2 0s. | — |
| (Both taken at the same time from same vendor.) | ||
| 8 per cent. of fat abstracted | £3 0s. | — |
| 9 per cent. of fat abstracted | £2 0s. | — |
| 13 per cent. of fat abstracted | Summons dismissed | £5 5s. |
| (The defendants stated that owing to a breakdown of their pasteurizing plant the milk was not kept properly stirred. | ||
| 8 per cent. of fat abstracted | £2 0s. | — |
| 10 per cent. of fat abstracted | Summons dismissed (Probation of Offenders Act) | |
| 21 per cent. of fat abstracted | £5 0s. | — |
| 5 per cent. of fat abstracted and 1 per cent. of added water | £1 1s. | £1 1s. |
| 8 per cent. of added water | 10s. | £2 2s. |
Condensed Milk Regulations, 1923-1927.
Fifty samples were taken and all proved to be genuine and properly
labelled.
Dried Milk Regulations, 1923-1927.
One sample was taken and proved to be genuine and properly labelled.
Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations, 1925, and
Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Amendment Regulations,
1926 and 1927.
Only the following articles may contain preservative which must be
either sulphur dioxide or benzoic acid as specified in the regulations.
Sausage and sausage meat, fruit and fruit pulp not dried, dried fruit,
unfermented grape juice and non-alcoholic wines, cordials and fruit
juices, jam, candied peel, sugar, corn, syrup, gelatine, beer, cider, alcoholic
wines, sweetened mineral waters, brewed ginger beer, coffee extract,