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
Bexley 1965
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bexley]
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FOOD INSPECTION
It is very seldom during routine inspection of food premises or food that a Public Health
Inspector finds food exposed for sale which is unsound or in an unsatisfactory condition. Much
food is inspected as a result of specific requests from traders who have voluntarily withdrawn
stock from sale pending inspection.
Individual cases range from single tins to consignments amounting to several tons. In no case
was it necessary for a Public Health Inspector to exercise his powers under the Food & Drugs Act
1955, relating to the seizure of unfit food.
The table below shows the approximate weight of food surrendered for destruction during the period 1965—1969.
| Tons | Cwts | Qtrs | Lbs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 5 | 17 | - | 4 |
| 1966 | 5 | 4 | - | 7 |
| 1967 | 21 | 9 | - | 15 |
| 1968 | 35 | 12 | 2 | - |
| 1969 | 53 | 7 | 3 | 15 |
A large number of food shops have refrigerated food cabinets in operation and the need for
correct operation and use and regular maintenance is most important, because a breakdown can
expose many hundred weights of food to risk of becoming unsound.
Since the Imported Food Regulations of 1968 came into operation and permitted the transfer
to inland places of food received at ports in locked containers, such containers have been received
and inspected at two principal wholesale depots.
The inspection of meat at the slaughterhouse which operated in the Borough until June 1968 is
reported separately.
There are no poultry processing premises operating in the Borough.
FOOD SAMPLING
The following table shows the number of samples of food and drugs taken under the Food & Drugs Act 1955 and submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis, together with the number found unsatisfactory:—
| Year | No. of Samples taken | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 517 | 25 |
| 1966 | 835 | 49 |
| 1967 | 677 | 29 |
| 1968 | 855 | 28 |
| 1969 | 822 | 40 |
| Totals | 3706 | 171 |