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
Bermondsey 1961
Annual report of the Medical Officer of Health for the year 1961
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FOOD CONTROL
PUBLIC HEALTH (IMPORTED FOOD) REGULATIONS,
1937/48
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955
As a riparian Borough with a considerable river frontage,
Bermondsey has a vast quantity of imported foodstuffs arriving at
the various wharves and Cold Stores, and the Wharves and Food
Inspectors maintain constant surveillance to ensure that the cargoes
are fit for human consumption. Their responsibilities include
sampling for both bacteriological and chemical analysis.
The following samples were submitted for bacteriological examination during the year:
| Egg Products | 5,427 |
| Desiccated Coconut | 516 |
| Frozen Prawns | 147 |
| Cheese | 200 |
| Canned Meats | 19 |
| Other Foods | 49 |
| 6,358 |
112 samples were taken for chemical analysis as follows:
| Article Examined | No. of Samples | Purpose of Examination | Result | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almond Spread | 1 | To ascertain composition | Satisfactory | Released |
| Amandes Grillees | 1 | To ascertain composition | Found to be covered by a layer of mould | Imported for research purposes. Released |
| Anchovy Paste | 1 | To ascertain composition | Satisfactory | Released |
| Anchovy Paste with Butter | 1 | To ascertain composition | Fish content 62% instead of 70% | Released with warning to Importer |
| Apricot Pulp | 10 | For presence of preservatives and condition | Found to be decomposing | Whole consignment destroyed |
| Bahmi | 1 | To ascertain composition | Satisfactory | Released |
| Butter | 7 | To ascertain condition | „ | „ |