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
Merton 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]
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The annual Mitcham Fair also receives the attention of the
Department, and it is now the practice of the Director of Parks and
Cemetries to submit to me applications from food vendors for a site
within the perimeter of the Fair, for an opinion as to the standard of
food hygiene attained by the applicant. I greatly appreciate the cooperation
of the Director in maintaining a high standard.
Fairs on Wimbledon and Mitcham Commons are visited and food
vending points are given particular attention. I think it must be
appreciated that most of this work is carried out by the Public Health
Inspectors outside normal hours, but it is important work, which is
well worth while.
The provisional register of food premises includes the following:
| Greengrocers | 185 |
| Confectioners | 236 |
| Ice-cream premises | 455 |
| Bakers | 60 |
| Grocers and Provision Dealers | 309 |
| Butchers | 108 |
| Fishmongers and Fish Fryers | 59 |
| Milk Distributors | 134 |
| Chemists | 50 |
| Licensed premises | 301 |
| Clubs | 49 |
| Restaurants and Cafes | 154 |
| Works Canteens | 74 |
| School Canteens and Kitchens | 100 |
| Food Stalls/Vehicles | 129 |
| Places of Public Entertainment | 39 |
| 2,442 |
This list does not include manufacturing factory premises.
The number of food premises registered in accordance with
Section 16 of the Act is as follows:—
Registered for the storage and sale of ice-cream 505
Registered for the manufacture and sale of ice-cream 6
Registered for the preparation or manufacture of
sausages 74
Registered for the preparation or manufacture of
potted, pressed, pickled or preserved food 177
The number of inspections of registered food premises during
1969 was 1,050.
Bacteriological Examination of Equipment.
During the year 141 swabbings of articles of equipment used in food premises and catering establishments were submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for bacteriological examination. The results were as follows:—
| Article. | No. of swabs taken. | Resull Satisfactory. | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer mugs and glasses | 12 | 8 | 4 |
| Wine and spirit glasses | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Plates | 32 | 28 | 4 |
| Cups and beakers | 29 | 29 | - |