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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| Knives | 11 | 11 | - |
| Forks | 27 | 27 | - |
| Spoons | 18 | 18 | - |
| Food containers and lids | 9 | 6 | 3 |
In addition 16 samples of ice-cream server water were submitted
for bacteriological examination, ten of which were unsatisfactory.
Special visits were made to premises from which unsatisfactory
swabs were taken, and the occupiers were advised upon principles
of hygiene to effect improvement.
Food Inspection.
Unsound food which is surrendered to the Health Department
is destroyed at the refuse disposal works by arrangement with the
Greater London Council.
The following is a list of unsound food surrendered during 1969:—
| Tons. | Cwts. | Lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned foods | 2 | 8 | 70 |
| Frozen foods and ice-cream | 3 | 14 | 43 |
| Meat, bacon and poultry | 2 | 1 | 86 |
| Confectionery | — | — | 44 |
| Sugar, jam and syrup | — | — | 56 |
| Beverages | — | — | 7 |
| Butter, fat and cheese | — | 17 | 31 |
| Fruit and vegetables | — | 1 | 9 |
| Minerals and vegetable juices | — | - | 17 |
| Puddings and pastry | — | 1 | 106 |
| Fish | — | 1 | 54 |
| Sausages | — | — | 18 |
| Vinegar, pickles and sauce | — | — | 61 |
| Miscellaneous | — | — | 9 |
| 9 | 8 | 51 |
The number of complaints received during the year regarding
unsound food was 292. These included references to extraneous
matter in food and a detailed investigation was made in each case.
Informal action was taken in the majority of cases, but certain of the
items marked* in the following list were the subject of legal proceedings.
Foreign bodies found in bread—mould growth on wrapped
bread* (6); grease and carbon (5); insect* (3); tobacco;
string; bristle; rat dropping*; screw*; wire; excessive yeast
(2).
Sand and cement in bottles of milk (5)*.
Fruit fly larvae in bottles of milk (3)*.
Oil in bottle of milk*.
Glass in bottle of milk.
Dust in bottles of milk (2).
Iron oxide in bottles of milk.
Foreign matter in bottles of milk (6).
Mould in bottles of milk (3)*.
Mouldy steak and kidney pies (2)**.
Mouldy blackcurrant and apple pie*.
Mouldy cheese (3).
70