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
Wandsworth 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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36
FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
In order to ensure that food businesses are supervised systematically,
an up-to-date register is maintained of all premises
where such business is carried on. Supervision is governed mainly
by powers under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955 and regulations
made thereunder but there are numerous other Acts of Parliament,
etc., which relate to specific types of food.
The supervision of catering establishments and premises where
food is sold, stored, manufactured or prepared for sale is carried
out by all public health inspectors. The district public health
inspectors obtain samples of food and drugs for analysis by the
Public Analyst, and a detailed report on this work appears on
pages 41 to 44.
The total number of food premises of all kinds on the register in the Borough is 2,627 (see Table 1) and during 1965 they were visited on 5,247 occasions (see Table 2).
TABLE 1
| NUMBER AND TYPE OF PREMISES WHERE FOOD IS SOLD, STORED OR PREPARED | |
| Dairies and milk dep6ts | 10 |
| Food factories | 23 |
| Restaurants, cafes and canteens | 478 |
| Bakers and confectioners | 537 |
| Butchers | 184 |
| Greengrocers | 216 |
| Fishmongers | 38 |
| Fish friers | 70 |
| Bakehouses | 28 |
| Grocers | 506 |
| Off licences | 146 |
| Public houses | 174 |
| Stalls | 177 |
| Total | 2,627 |
TABLE 2
SUMMARY OF VISITS TO FOOD PREMISES
| Dairies | 79 |
| Restaurant kitchens | 1,164 |
| Ice-cream premises | 109 |
| Butchers' shops | 477 |
| Greengrocers' shops | 265 |
| Fishmongers' shops | 82 |
| Fried fish shops | 140 |
| Market stalls | 1,005 |
| Grocers' shops | 1,066 |
| Confectioners' shops | 482 |
| Bakehouses | 107 |
| Other premises | 271 |
| Total visits | 5,247 |