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
Islington 1915
Sixtieth annual report on the health and sanitary condition of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington
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117
[1915
MILK AND CREAM REGULATIONS, 1912.
The course adopted was to submit a number of samples to the Public
Analyst without previous division, the samples so treated being dealt with as
informal samples.
Altogether 15 samples of cream were submitted, seven of which were
purchased as preserved creams containing boric acid not exceeding 0.5 per cent.,
and 8 as creams free from preservatives.
The Public Analyst reported four of the latter contained boric acid in
amounts varying from 0.13 to 0.42 per cent. Three official samples were then
purchased from the vendors who infringed the Act, and who made no declaration
at the time of the sales, and the Public Analyst reported that all of the
samples contained boric acid in quantities varying from 0.27 to 0.5.3 per cent.
The general results obtained are set forth in the following tabular summary as prescribed by the Local Government Board:—
1. Cream not sold as Preserved Cream.
| Date. | (A) Number of samples examined for the presence of a Preservative. | (B) Number in which a Preservative was reported to be present. |
|---|---|---|
| July 14 | 5 | 4* |
| July 27 | 3 | 3† |
(B.) In every instance the preservative reported by the Public Analyst consisted of boric
acid.
* These were informal samples, against the vendors of which no action was taken.
† These were official samples purchased as a result of the analysis of the informal
samples. The vendors were afforded an opportunity of making a written explanation to the
Public Health Committee, which was accepted in each case, and ultimately all were cautioned
against a repetition of the offence.
2. Cream sold as Preserved Cream.
(a) Instances in which samples have been submitted for analysis to ascertain
if the statements on the labels as to preservatives were correct.
(i) Correct statement made 5
(ii) Statements incorrect 2
Total 7