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 1909
Annual report of Medical Officer of Health for 1909
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| No. of Sample. | Date of Purchase. | By whom the Cream was prepared. | Copy of Labels on Sample. | Fat Content. | Nature and Amount of Preservative, if any |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909. | |||||
| 961 | Oct. 4 | Cream Dairy Co., 2½, St. Andrew's Hill. | "Preserved Cream.—This Cream contains a certain quantity of Boracic Preservative to retard sourness, in accordance with the practice of the last 12 years, and it is not generally recommended for invalids or infants. C. D. Co., Ltd." | 51.0 | 0.15 Boric Acid. |
| 962 | „ 4 | E. H. Jones, 98, Shoe Lane. | Unlabelled. Cream served "loose." | 47.0 | 0.18 Boric Acid. |
| 963 | ,, 4 | Welford and Sons, 33, Little Britain. | Unlabelled. Cream served "loose.'' | 51.9 | No preservative present. |
| 964 | ,, 5 | The Mapleton Dairy Co., Edenbridge, Kent. | " Pure Thick Cream. Rich." "Pure Rich Thick Cream. 26 Prize Medals and Awards. "This Cream being separated immediately after the milk is drawn from the cow, will be found to be sweeter and keep better than that produced by the ordinary skimming process, and is superior to the Devonshire Cream." "Rich Preserved Cream.—This Cream contains a small proportion of Boron Preservative (not exceeding one-half of one per cent.), to keep it sweet and wholesome, which has been the recognised method of preservation for over 20 years. "Cream without preservative 1s recommended for invalids and children.'' | 52.1 | 0.19 Boric Acid. |
| 965 | ,, 5 | Peck's Surrey Cream Co., Sole Depot, Snow Hill, London. | "Rich Surrey Cream." "Preserved Cream." "Peck's Surrey Cream Co. Archer Brand. Special Rich Thick Cream. Eight prize medals for excellence of quality." | 49.3 | 0.33 Boric Acid. |
| 966 | „ 5 | John Davis, 15, Copthall Avenue. | Unlabelled. Cream served "loose." | 56.9 | 0.11 Boric Acid. |
As before stated, the richness or strength of cream is influenced by the
amount of fat it contains. Unscrupulous dealers are known to take advantage
of this feature and improve the appearance of a poor article by thickening it
with gelatine, starch paste and "sucrate of lime."
A sample purchased in the City in 1906 was certified to contain 3 per cent.
of starch. A prosecution ensued, but warranty being proved, the case was
dismissed.
With regard to "sucrate of lime." This material having been openly
offered for sale by chemical manufacturers to cream dealers, the Board of
Agriculture and Fisheries issued a circular letter on the 1st October last,
directing the attention of sanitary authorities to the nature of this adulterant
as shown by analyses made by the Principal Chemist of the Government