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
Stepney 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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horsemeat was found to be unfit for human consumption and was condemned
and released under supervision for use as fertiliser.
One truck of Italian apples was detained as several of the boxes
were not marked in accordance with the Merchandise Marks Act. The
apples were subsequently released on an undertaking given by the
importer to take the matter up with the Italian authorities to ensure
that all future consignments were correctly marked.
Unsound Food.
The following quantities of unsound foodstuffs were disposed of during the year under the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations, 1937-1948, and the Public Health (London) Act, 1936:-
| Premises | Tons | Cwta | Qrs | Lbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wharves | 151 | 5 | 0 | 19 |
| London Fruit Exchange and Spitalfields Market | 92 | 14 | 2 | 15 |
| Railway Depots | 13 | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| . Zeebrugge-Harwich Train Ferry (at Bishopsgate Goods Station) | 12 | 16 | 2 | 15 |
| Other Premises | 33 | 15 | 3 | 24 |
| 304 | 1 | 1 | 23 |
Approximately 20 tons of unsound food were allowed to be used for
animal feeding purposes, or for manufacturing purposes other than for
human consumption, the remainder being delivered to, or collected by
the Public Cleansing Department, at whose riverside depot it was mixed
with household refuse under the supervision of the Public Cleansing
Officer, and removed by barge to a controlled tipping site in Essex.
Over 2,200 Condemnation Certificates in respect of unsound food were issued in 1956.
| Improvements effected at Food Establishments. | No. |
| Lavatory basins installed | 222 |
| Premises where hot and cold water supply installed | 352 |
| Premises where washing facilities for staff have been improved | 327 |
| Sinks provided | 86 |
| Food storage accommodation provided | 47 |
| Refrigerators installed or repaired | 20 |
| Premises where walls, ceilings, floors, windows cleansed | 904 |
| Floors renewed or repaired | 69 |
| Shop-fronts improved | 17 |
| Premises where ventilation provided or improved | 35 |
| Premises where natural lighting improved | 12 |
| Protective covers provided for displayed food | 41 |
| Refuse bins provided | 93 |
| Miscellaneous improvements | 1,219 |