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 London 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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48
Butter.—Of the 20 samples of butter, two were reported against. These were procured
in course of delivery from the wholesaler in connection with a sample of butter (on bread)
which had been sold by the proprietor of a cafe and found to contain 45 % of margarine.
Legal proceedings were instituted against both the retailer and wholesaler, but at the hearing
the summons against the retailer was withdrawn. The wholesaler was fined the maximum
penalty of £20 with £5 5s. costs, it being the first offence. Another vendor of butter (on
bread), which was found to contain 65% of margarine, was summoned and fined £2, with
£1 0s. 6d. costs.
Drugs.—Of the 92 samples of drugs taken six were reported against. In two instances
the formal sample proved genuine, but in two other cases the formal samples were found to
be adulterated equally with the informal samples, and legal proceedings were successfully
taken against the two vendors.
Spirits.—Thirty-four samples of spirits were taken. Two samples of Rum and one of
Whisky were certified to be below the minimum legal strength of 35 degrees under proof,
and legal proceedings were taken against the vendors. The summons was dismissed under
the Probation of Offendors Act, with costs in two cases, while the third defendant was
fined.
EXAMINATION OF MILK.
Chemical.—Of the 204 samples of milk, all of which were procured formally, 12 were
reported against. Three of these were in connection with one consignment. The percentage
figure of milk adulteration was 5.8, as compared with 6.3 for 1930.
There were three prosecutions. One summons was dismissed under the Probation of
Offenders' Act with costs, and in the two other cases penalties were imposed. In those
instances where samples were reported against and the circumstances did not warrant
legal proceedings being instituted, the vendors were either cautioned or further samples
taken which proved genuine.
The following table shows the percentage of fat content in each of the 204 samples of milk examined. Five of this number contained fat in amounts below the point which presumes adulteration,
| Percentage of Fat. | No. of Samples. | Percentage of Fat. | No. of Samples. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 | 3 | 3.9 | 17 |
| 2.8 | l | 4.0 | 14 |
| 2.9 | l | 4.1 | 8 |
| 3.0 | 6 | 4.2 | 1 |
| 3.1 | 6 | 4.3 | 2 |
| 3.2 | 18 | 4.5 | 2 |
| 3.3 | 18 | 4.6 | 2 |
| 3.4 | 25 | 4.7 | 1 |
| 3.5 | 23 | 4.9 | 1 |
| 3.6 | 23 | 9.5 | 1 |
| 3.7 | 12 | ||
| 3.8 | 19 | Total | 204 |
It will be noted that one sample contained an unusually large amount of fat, viz., 9.5.
This was in connection with a bottle of milk taken from a milk roundsman. On enquiry
at the diary from which it was distributed, it was ascertained that one churn of milk had
not been plunged previous to the bottles being hand-filled, which accounted for the heavy
fat figure in this particular sample.
Seven purveyors of milk from whom samples had been taken served notices upon the
Authority requesting samples of milk to be procured from their suppliers in course of delivery
to them, in accordance with the provisions of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act.
THE MILK AND DAIRIES ORDER, 1926, AND
THE MILK AND DAIRIES (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1922.
Thirteen new applications for registration as retail purveyors of milk were received
during the year, all of which were approved. Four of these were from persons who have no
premises within the City of London, but purvey milk within the area.