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
St Pancras 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Pancras, Metropolitan Borough]
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The following table shows the detailed results of the bacteriological examination of ice cream samples during the year and preceding years:—
| — | 1947 | 1948 | 1949 | 1950 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samples | % | Samples | % | Samples | % | Samples | % | ||
| Satisfactory | Grade I | 17 | 22.3 | 75 | 41.7 | 59 | 32.4 | 59 | 44.7 |
| Grade II | 14 | 18.4 | 38 | 21.1 | 52 | 29.0 | 40 | 30.3 | |
| Unsatisfactory | Grade III | 23 | 30.3 | 31 | 17.2 | 44 | 24.6 | 15 | 11.4 |
| Grade IV | 22 | 29.0 | 36 | 20.0 | 25 | 14.0 | 18 | 13.6 | |
| Totals | 76 | 100.0 | 180 | 100.0 | 180 | 100.0 | 132 | 100.0 | |
During the period covered by this report there was no legal chemical standard for the
composition of ice-cream, although as from 1st March, 1951, the Food Standards (Ice Cream)
Order, 1951, will become operative, prescribing the following minimum standards:—
5 per cent. fat.
10 per cent. sugar.
7½ per cent. milk solids other than milk fat.
Pending the coming into force of the above-mentioned Order this department has, in
co-operation with the Ministry of Food, taken 43 samples of ice cream for chemical analysis
during the year, the results showing fat contents as summarised below. Figures in respect
of the year 1949 (89 samples) are also shown for comparison.
Year
Below 2.5%
2.5%—5%
5%—10%
Over 10%
1949 6 31 43 9
1950 — 12 25 6
(c) Other commodities.
There were also 14 samples of synthetic bakery filling cream, of which all but one
were reported to be satisfactory from a bacteriological point of view.
Legal Proceedings. The following 11 prosecutions were undertaken during 1950:—
| Court and Date of Hearing. | Offence. | Result of Proceedings. |
|---|---|---|
| Clerkenwell 10.3.50 | Loaf of bread containing metal hook | Discharged under Section 7 of Criminal Justice Act, 1948. Costs £2. |
| Clerkenwell 5.4.50 | Milk adulterated by 4.8 per cent. water | Fine £2. Costs £2 2s. |
| Clerkenwell 24.4.50 | Non-brewed vinegar deficient in Acetic Acid . . | Discharged conditionally on 12 months' good behaviour. Costs 10s. |