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 COMPLAINTS
The following table shows the number of food complaints received by the department and also the number of special samples submitted to the Public Analyst following complaints:-
| Year | No. of complaints investigated | No. of Special Samples submitted to the Public Analyst |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 80 | 19 |
| 1966 | 113 | 29 |
| 1967 | 93 | 14 |
| 1968 | 84 | 31 |
| 1969 | 116 | 26 |
| Totals | 486 | 119 |
Most of the complaints concerned mould or foreign bodies found in foodstuffs and included a
needle in bread, metal in chocolate, razor blade in bread pudding, bird droppings on loaf, nail in
cake, metal in baby food, cigarette butt in canned vegetables. In the first case the Public Analyst
was able to show that the needle had been baked in the loaf.
The number of complaints indicates that the general public is alive to the Public Health
Inspector's function in this sphere. In nearly every instance reported to the department the complainant
wished his complaint to be dealt with informally and did not wish to be involved in legal
proceedings. However, during the period under review legal proceedings were instituted in 28
instances and in each case a conviction was obtained. Fines totalling £475 with £170 costs were
awarded to the Council. In several other cases warning letters were sent to the persons concerned.
Following receipt of a complaint, contact is made with retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers,
etc. when appropriate as, quite apart from legal proceedings, it is necessary to investigate and
correct faulty practices in an endeavour to prevent the recurrence of complaints.
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT
Functions under the above Act, which became the responsibility of this Council on the 1st
April 1965, have since that date been carried out on an agency basis, in the first instance by the
London Borough of Bromley and since April 1967 by the Corporation of London. Such arrangements
have allowed for a full service under the Act to be carried out in the most comprehensiveand
economical manner. Close liaison exists between the Department and the Veterinary Officer of the
Corporation of London.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE - MEAT INSPECTION
A privately owned slaughterhouse situated in the Borough and which had been operating since
the decontrol of meat in July 1954, ceased business in June 1968. Prior to closing a scheme involving
extension of the premises and requiring a new slaughterhouse licence, had been referred to the
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in accordance with the Slaughterhouses Act 1958 and
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