Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green]
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31
Analytical Laboratory,
Vestry Hall, Harrow Road, W.,
January 6th, 1886.
To the Vestry of the Parish of St. Matthew, Bethnal Green,
Chairman and Gentlemen,—During the quarter ending December
ith, 1885, only 8 samples of food were submitted to me by your
ispectors. Six of these were samples of Butter, and 2 were Milk
samples. Not one of the butters was made from milk, but they all
nsisted of beef-fat, with a little salt, curds and water, and were
relored by annatto to resemble the real article. As samples of
utterine they were well made, pure and wholesome, but they were
Id at a comparatively high price as butter. The vendors were
osecuted and fines in all cases were imposed.
Of the 2 samples of Milk 1 contained 25 per cent. of added water,
e other was genuine. Proceedings are now being taken against the
mdor of the adulterated sample. The sum of £8 10s. for fines has
meen paid into the Vestry's account during the quarter.
A summary of the year's work may be perhaps of interest.
During the year 1885, I have analysed for the Vestry 100 samples
food, consisting of 65 samples of Milk, and 35 samples of Butter.
these 41 samples of Milk were adulterated, and 21 samples of
utter, that is 62 per cent. of these samples of food had been tampered
ith. This percentage is exceedingly high and shews that much reams
to be done to diminish this wholesale adulteration. A good deal
harm to the health as well as to the pocket must result from this
lpoverishment of the food supply. In one case a milk had been
>prived of all its cream and then diluted with 40 per cent. of water.
rosecutions were undertaken in 52 cases, and were almost always
iccessfully conducted, the fines paid into the Vestry's account amountg
to £175.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1875.
Articles submitted for Analysis. | State whether the sample was submitted to the Analyst by an Officer acting- under the direction of a Local Authority, under Section 13 of Act, and if so, the name of such Authority. | Result of Analysis, showing whether the sample was Genuine or Adulterated, and if Adulterated, what were the nature and extent of the Adulteration. | The sum due in respect of the Analysis. | OBSERVATIONS. | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
£ | s. | ||||||
Milk, | No. | 1 2 0 | By Inspector for Vestry | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 1 2 1 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 1 2 2 | ditto | Contained 35 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £1 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 1 2 3 | ditto | Contained 12 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £5 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 1 2 4 | ditto | Contained 40 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £5 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2~5 | ditto | Contained 8 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor cautioned not to repeat the offence. |
ditto | No. | 1/26 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 1/27 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 1 2 8 | ditto | Contained 16 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £1 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 1 29 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 1 30 | ditto | Contained 8 per cent. of added water | I | 1 | Vendor cautioned. |
ditto | No. | 1 3 1 | ditto | Contained 20 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Case pending. |
ditto | No. | 1 3 2 | ditto | Contained 15 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor left the parish and could not be summoned. |
ditto | No. | 1 33 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 2/14 | ditto | Contained 27 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £5 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/15 | ditto | Contained 7 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor cautioned. |
ditto | No. | 2/16 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 2/17 | ditto | Contained 12 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £1 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/18 | ditto | Contained 30 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £5 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/19 | ditto | Contained 13 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £1 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/20 | ditto | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 2/21 | ditto „ | Genuine | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 2/22 | ditto | Genuine [abstracted | 1 | 1 | |
ditto | No. | 2 23 | ditto | One-third of the cream had been | 1 | 1 | Case dismissed from conflict of evidence; no costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/24 | ditto „ | Contained 23 per cent. of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £3 and costs. |
ditto | No. | 2/25 | ditto | Contained 16 per cent, of added water | 1 | 1 | Vendor prosecuted and fined £5 and costs. |