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
Fulham 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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51
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. 1955
On January Ist 1956, the Food and Drugs Act 1955 became effective. The Act
was described as "An Act to consolidate the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, the Food and Drugs
(Milk, Dairies and Artificial Cream) Act, 1950, and the Food and Drugs Amendment Act,
1954, together with certain other enactments amending and supplementing Part V of the
said Act of 1938 in relation to slaughterhouses and knackers' yards.
During the year under review, 800 samples of food and drugs purchased by the
Sampling Officer were submitted to the Council's Public Analyst for chemical analysis.
The samples were taken under the various Acts, Orders and Regulations relating to
foodstuffs.
The Public Analyst, reported adversely on 31 of the samples examined, representing
3.9% of samples examined.
In only one instance were legal proceedings instituted, this being in respect of sample No. 741 a roll and butter, which was roll and margarine. The defendant was fined £1.
| Sample No. | Article | Result of Analysis | Action taken or recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | Cream | Milk fat content 17.4%. Food Standards (Cream) Order 1951 requires 18% milk fat. | Deficiency slight. No action. |
| 108 | Beef Patty (Informal) | Contained 88% pastry and 12% meat. Public Analyst is of opinion meat content should be not less than 20% | Letter to retailers. |
| 157 | Barbecue Sausage | Total meat content 57% including 29% fat. Public Analyst of opinion fat should not exceed 40% of total meat content. Presence of dye in sausage not disclosed on label | Letter to firm. |
| 180 | Bread Loaf | "Dirt" in loaf not identifiable. Probably carbonised bread from forming bench. | No action. Sale of loaf disputed by alleged retailers. |
| 185 & 187 | Meat Patty | Contained 18.5% meat filling. Public Analyst is of opinion meat content should be not less than 20%. | Letter to makers. |
| 192 | Fruit Syrup | Incorrectly labelled. | Letter to producers. |
| 199 | Tinned Gooseberries | Lead 5 p.p.m. Sugar 14.5% Suitable for sale if mixed with other fruit | Small amount of rema in ing stock surrendered by retailer. |
| 230 | Vegetable Extract | Incorrectly labelled. | Letter to manufacturers |
| 249 | Milky Crunch | Low milk content, hence label misleading. | Letter to manufacturers. |
| 261 | Swiss Bun | Contained fibres, probably of hessian. | Letter to manufacturers. |
| 277 | Pickled Onions | Sterile but badly pickled. | Retailer withdrew remaining stock. |