London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Holborn 1923

Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health, for the year 1923

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32
Coffee Extract, coffee and chicory extract.
One of the six samples examined was found to contain salicylic acid; communications
were sent to the vendor and the wholesalers, and, as a result, the remaining stock
was withdrawn from sale.
Cream.
Three samples of cream sold as fresh cream were found to contain preservative
and were dealt with under the Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations.
Cream cheese.
The need for a definite standard especially of fat content of cream cheese was
expressed by the Council, the result of an analysis of four cream cheeses by the Borough
Analyst having shown a deficiency of fat. The Council made a representation to the
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries drawing attention to the absence of any standard
as to the quantity of fat cream cheese should contain and asking for steps to be taken
for the establishment of a standard or limit as in the case of milk.
In submitting his report the Borough Analyst wrote as follows:—
"Notwithstanding the fact that there is no standard for the quantity of fat which cream
cheese—or even ordinary hard cheese—should contain, I have certified three of the samples as
being deficient in fat, and have based my opinion upon the differences between the amount of
fat found in each sample respectively, and that which should have been present—as calculated
from the percentage of protein in each case—had the samples been made from genuine whole
milk of the poorest quality, as defined by the Board of Agriculture limits (i.e. 3 per cent. of
fat)."

The particulars of samples reported to be deficient in fat were as follows :—

Fat.Water.Protein.Deficiency of Fat.
4.3873.9521.6766 per cent.
3.0976.2520.6678 per cent.
1.3276.6523.0393 per cent.
11.6065.1023.5042 per cent.

The amount of fat in the samples was far below the percentage present in ordinary
(hard) cheese which contains about from 20 per cent. to 30 per cent. ; the word
"cream " might be considered by many people to indicate that more fat was present
than in ordinary cheese.
Proceedings were instituted against the vendor of one of the samples.
After hearing the evidence the Magistrate gave a considered judgment in favour of
the Council, imposing a penalty of £5. 5s. Od. with £15. 15s. 9d. costs.
In the course of his judgment the Magistrate said:—
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" I do not think that it is within my province to lay down any fixed standard of fat for
cream cheeses. I hope that as a result of 'Lord Linlithgow's Committee' the proper Authority
to make regulations under Section 4 of the Act of 1899, may possibly take action in the