London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of London 1934

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]

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SUMMARY CF UNSOUND FOOD DESTROYED.

Tons.Cwts.Qrs.Lbs.
Central Markets (Smithfield)766237
Cold Stores3418221
Leadenhall Market and City Shops521310
Total for the year 19348533110
Total for the year 1933878527
Decrease252025

EXPORT OF MEAT, ETC.
Fifty-four certificates were issued during the year.
DEMONSTRATIONS AND INSTRUCTION IN MEAT INSPECTION.
One hundred and eighty-seven persons from various training centres received instruction.
Sixteen naval officers received training in meat inspection at the Central Markets,
Smithfield.

PUBLIC HEALTH (LONDON) ACT, 1891—UNSOUND M EAT— PROSECUTIONS.

Serial No.Date.Business.Where heard.Before whom.Offence.Result.
628/2/34DealerGuildhallAid. Sir P. Neal.Under the City of London (Various Powers) Act, 1911, Sec. 39, being person who deposited for sale on Smithfield Market one calf carcase which was diseased.Fined £5 Costs, £2 2s. 0d.
628 /2 /34Small Holder.,,,,Being the owner of one calf carcase which was diseased.Fined £5 Costs, £2 2s. 0d.

GENERAL REMARKS.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH (IMPORTED FOOD) REGULATIONS, 1925-33.
From a meat inspector's point of view, these regulations are not easily read. This
has lead to certain difficulties. Considerable quantities of meat are seen, in increasing
volume, inspection of which is completely valueless. This is chiefly boneless beef and
a variety of small joints and pieces of meat. An example of each category will suffice to
indicate what is meant and, at the same time, illustrate the impracticability of examination.
(a) Boneless Beef.
In the removal of bones important lymphatic glands and portions of serous membranes
are frequently removed. A typical specimen of boned-out beef, known as a " mid-cut,"
is imported in large quantities, and consists, as a rule, of loin, rump and thin flank. Apart
from the absence of certain glands and portions of serous membranes, this particular cut
presents a further difficulty in that, before one can attempt to examine it, it is necessary
to defrost, in order to expose the various parts which have been folded over before freezing.
(b) Small Joints.
Portions of loins of mutton have been imported, inspection of which is of little value,
particularly as in many cases the regional lymphatic glands are absent.
(c) Pieces.
Small pieces of muscle from various parts of the carcase are seen from time to time,
but their inspection can be of no assistance in indicating their origin as being from a healthy
carcase. An example of this is a cut described as a " flank steak," which consists merely
of a circular portion of abdominal muscle. Obviously no inspector can pass an opinion
of any value upon such a cut.
Chilled Beef.
A satisfactory aspect in connection with imported meat is the development of the
trade in chilled beef from the Colonies. Whereas, until within the last few years, the
chilled beef trade was almost a South American monopoly, many successful shipments
have arrived during the course of the year from the Colonies. As a result of scientific
investigation and research into the prolonged storage of chilled beef, a great expansion
in this trade may be anticipated.