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
Wimbledon 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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The following samples were submitted for special examinations:-
| Articles | Total | Formal | Informal | Genuine | Non genuine or irregular |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caster sugar | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Danish cream | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Fresh egg | 1 | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| Lemon drink | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Medicine | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Milk | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Minced meat | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Peaches in syrup | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — |
| Polish rye bread | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Veal, ham and egg pie | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| White bread | 3 | — | 3 | — | 3 |
| Yoghurt | 1 | — | 1 | — | 1 |
| Totals | 15 | — | 15 | 4 | 11 |
It will be seen that adverse reports were received upon fourteen samples
and the following is an account of the action taken in respect thereof.
THICK CREAM.
An informal sample of pure thick cream was purchased and was submitted to
the Public Analyst for examination. His Report indicated that the milk fat
content was 23.2% by weight, whereas the Food Standards (Cream) Order 1951
requires a minimum of 48% milk fat. The retailer voluntarily suspended sales,
and the importers and the wholesale distributors supported this action, and
remaining stocks were withdrawn.
A new label omitting the word "thick" was approved, and subsequently the
cream was re-issued under the new label.
FLAVOURED MILK.
The Public Analyst indicated that this informal sample was an article of
food containing two or more ingredients, i.e. milk, flavouring and colouring,
but that the colouring was not specified on the label as required by the Labelling
of Food Order 1953. Negotiations were commenced with the milk distributors
for the wording of the cartons to be altered, but at the time of the preparation
of this Report the automatic vending machine from which the sample was obtained
had been removed from the premises.
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