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
City of London 1922
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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51
PUBLIC HEALTH (FOREIGN MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1908.
During the year, Notices were served under Articles III. (5), IV. (1) of the above-mentioned Regulations, for the exportation of the following meat:—
| Date of Arrival. 1922. | Name of Vessel. | Where from. | Where lying. | Description and quantity of meat in respect of which Notices were served. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 22 | ss. " Natia " | Buenos Ayres | Royal Albert Dock | 18 cases hog-livers. |
| Oct. 5 | ss. " Duquesa " | Ditto | Royal Victoria Dock | 10 cases hog-plucks, |
| 10 cases hog-kidneys. | ||||
| „ 13 | ss. " Corrientes " | Ditto | Royal Albert Dock | 35 cases pork loins, |
| 6 cases pork legs, | ||||
| 5 cases pork kidneys. |
FOOD INSPECTION.
The Regulations issued by the Local Government Board (now the Ministry of
Health) under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, were carried
out in the Port of London, and resulted in 3,989 tons 12 cwts. 2 qrs. 3 lbs. of
Unsound Food being destroyed or disposed of in such a manner as to prevent it
being used for human consumption.
Exceptions are shown in the disposal of some of the goods for the manufacture
of confectionery, distillation, refining and by exportation. The goods for the
manufacture of confectionery were condensed milk, which had either undergone a
yeast fermentation or had been returned to this country owing to " caramelisation "
and discolouration. The deleterious qualities were removed in the process of remanufacture,
and thus the use of a considerable quantity of valuable food material
was retained.
The goods for distillation consist usually of dried fruits, e.g., dates, prunes,
raisins and sultanas, and the material disposed of for the purposes of refining comprised
damaged sugar and loose sugar swept up from the floors of warehouses, etc.
Disposal of the material was carried out as follows, only those goods which could not be used for some useful purpose being actually destroyed.
| Tons. | Cwts. | Qrs | Lbs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boiled down (recovery of fat, &c.) | 140 | 4 | 3 | 11 |
| Cattle and Poultry Food | 2,092 | 11 | 3 | 7 |
| Re-manufacture (Confectionery, &c.) | 51 | 16 | 1 | 23 |
| Distillation | 49 | 1 | 2 | 14 |
| Refining | 697 | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| Exportation | 336 | 14 | 3 | 2 |
| Destroyed—Buried | 447 | 18 | 3 | 26 |
| Burned | 173 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
| Total weight | 3,989 | 12 | 2 | 3 |
The total shows an increase of 1,372 tons 15 cwts. 1 qr. 15 lbs. ; equalling
52 per cent, compared with the previous year.
Beef.—The total quantity of frozen and chilled beef seized by your officers
and disposed of as unfit for human consumption, was 586 quarters and crops,
155 bags and a quantity of trimmings and pieces, the total weight of which was
51 tons 5 cwts. 0 qrs. 25 lbs., as compared with 212 tons 9 cwts. 3 qrs. 1 lb. in
the preceding year.
The largest quantity seized ex any vessel was 303 quarters, weighing 20 tons
1 cwt. 3 qrs. 12 lbs., the condemnation being due to leaky brine pipes in the
refrigerating holds.
Mutton.—The total quantity of frozen mutton seized by your officers and
disposed of as unfit for human consumption was 2,423 carcases, 1,032 pieces, 4 bags
and a quantity of trimmings, the total weight being 52 tons 11 cwts. 2 qrs. 2 lbs.,
against 267 tons 6 cwts. 2 qrs. 3 lbs., in the preceding year.
The largest quantity seized ex any vessel was 716 carcases, weighing 14 tons
10 cwts. 2 qrs. 7 lbs.