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
Brent 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brent]
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22
PREMISES WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED
(Table 26)
Premises where ice cream is manufactured, stored, or sold; and premises used for the .preparation
or manufacture of sausages, potted, pressed, pickled, or preserved food are required to be registered under
Section 16, Food and Drugs Act 1955.
The majority of ice cream sold in the borough is manufactured outside the district, and is mostly
pre-packed. There are, however, 6 small manufacturers in the borough, whose premises are regularly inspected
and are of a satisfactory standard.
EDUCATION IN FOOD HYGIENE
Lectures illustrated with film shows, film-strips and bacteriological cultures were given to school
leavers and other interested groups.
FOOD UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Five cwts. fifty four lbs. of meat and other foods examined by the Public Health Inspectors was
found to be unfit for human consumption and was destroyed.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE
There is one private slaughterhouse licensed in the Borough and two slaughtermen are licensed to
work in it. Particulars of inspections, carcases inspected and condemned are shown in Table 27.
THE LIQUID EGG (PASTEURISATION) REGULATIONS, 1963
These Regulations require that all liquid egg used for human consumption shall be pasteurised at
148*F for 1\ minutes. Samples must pass the Alpha Amylase test which is a decolourising test similar to
Methylene Blue. Ten samples were taken and all proved satisfactory.
CONTAMINATED AND UNSOUND FOODS
One hundred and twelve complaints about food stuffs were received. They varied from allegations
of mould, foreign matter to unsatisfactory taste. In 48 instances warning letters were sent, one was referred
to another local authority and four were referred for prosecution. In two instances the food was found to be
fit for human consumption and in 57 instances no action was taken (Table 28).
The results of the prosecutions heard which included six cases not reported upon in 1970 were
| Foreign matter in bottle of milk | -Fines £50-£10 costs |
| 2. Mouldy loaf | —Fined £30—£10 costs |
| 3. Foreign matter in bottle of milk | —Fined £60—£10 costs |
| 4. Mouldy pork pie | —Fined £12.50—£5 costs |
| 5. Mouldy pork pie | —Fined £12.50—£5 costs |
| 6. Bad tasting fancy cakes | —Case withdrawn |
| 7. Foreign matter in bottle of milk | —Fined £50—£10 costs |
| 8. Dirty bottle of milk | —Fined £25—£20 costs |
| 9. Mouldy loaf | —Fined £25—£10 costs |
| one remaining case is incomplete |
In two instances where the occupiers of premises were found to have food exposed for sale or in their
possession for the purpose of sale which was unfit for human consumption, and which was siezed and
removed and was condemned by a Justice of the Peace, the following penalties were imposed : —
1. Flour and steamed noodles, contaminated by mice—Fined £60—£5 costs
2. Rice, peas, beans and cereals, contaminated by mice—Fined £110—£2 costs.
SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS
The Council is a Food and Drugs Authority under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the Director
of Health and the Public Health Inspectors are authorised Officers for the purposes of the Act.