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 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wandsworth, Metropolitan Borough]
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Milk samples
The minimum legal standards relating to the composition of milk are. as follows • —
| Ordinary milk | Channel Islands and South Devon milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Milk fat | 3.0% | 4.0% |
| Non-fatty solids | 8.5% | 8.5% |
| Total milk solids | 11.5% | 12.5% |
During the year, 100 samples of milk were submitted for analysis
(90 ordinary milk and 10 Channel Islands or South Devon milk).
Of these, two samples of ordinary milk were found to be below
the minimum standard and appropriate action was taken.
Pesticide residues in foodstuffs
During the year, eighteen samples of food were taken by the
Corporation for examination by the Public Analyst for pesticide
residues, and the results are shown below. The types of food
were selected by the Association of Public Analysts under the
scheme initiated bv the Association of Municipal Corporations.
The enquiry has been set up to ascertain the extent, if any, of possible contamination of foodstuffs by toxic chemicals.
| Sample | Pesticide contaminant | (parts per million) |
|---|---|---|
| Lettuce | B.H.C. | 0.008 |
| D.D.T. | 0.157 | |
| Pears | None detected | |
| Pears | D.D.T. | 0.020 |
| Plums | None detected | |
| Cucumber | None detected | |
| Onions | None detected | |
| Cheese | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Dieldrin | Very minute trace | |
| Cooking fat | D.D.T. | 0.004 |
| T.D.E. | 0.009 | |
| Milk | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Dieldrin | Very minute trace | |
| Corned beef | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Ham | None detected | |
| Dried milk | None detected | |
| White loaf | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Wholemeal loaf | B.H.C. | 0.037 |
| Pork chops | None detected | |
| Belly of pork | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Beef sausages | B.H.C. | Very minute trace |
| Dieldrin | Very minute trace | |
| Vegetable and beef broth | None detected |
For the purposes of the scheme it was decided that amounts of
these compounds below certain limits (depending on both the type
of pesticide and the type of food) should be considered insignificant.