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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Fulham Borough]
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51
Food and Drugs Sampling
During the year 800 samples of food and drugs were purchased by the Sampling
Officer and submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical analysis The Public Analyst
reported adversely on 54 or 6 75% of the samples examined
Legal proceedings were instituted in respect of two samples
(1) Section 6 - Milky Crunch (sample No 559) misleading description.
Case dismissed 5 guineas costs against Council
(2) Section 2 - Roll and butter (sample No 913) Sample was roll and
margarine Conditional discharge. Defendant to pay 5 guineas costs
Rather more emphasis was given during the year to the sampling of canned meats and
sausage rolls In the case of the former a standard of 75% total meat was the standard
by which the samples were measured and in the case of the latter a total meat content of
20% of the total weight of the roll Particular attention was paid to imported canned
meat and the scope of the sampling was not completed by the end of the year. The
investigation into the content of sausage rolls too was continuing at the end of the
year. It is proposed to include the full results of the surveys in the report for 1958.
ADULTERATIONS ETC
| Articl e | Result of Analysis | Action taken or recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Non- Brewed Condiment (No, 820) | Contained acetic acid 3.18%. Public Analyst of opinion commodity must contain at least 4,0%, Acetic acid deficiency was therefore 20%. | Letter to Retailer |
| Pickled Gherkins ) (No, 834) ) Pickled Red Cabbage) (No, 835) ) | Inferior commodities. Samples preserved with dilute solution of acetic acid and salt so theoretically pickled. | Letter to producers. |
| Milky Crunch (No, 859) | Misleading description. | Legal proceedings autho rised. |
| Paregoric Tablets (No, 860) | 100% aniseed flavoured boiled sweet. Morphine absent. | Letter to producers with authority to institute legal proceedings if found necessary. |
| Amm Tinc, of Quinine (No. 881) | Slightly high in Quinine (1.87%) B P C. stipulates 1,56% - 1,76%. | Excess very small. No action. |
| Milk (No, 884) | Pat 3,20% Solids not- fat 8,36% (Sale of Milk Regulations 1939 state that where sample contains less than 3% milk fat or 8,5% of sol ids-not-fat the milk shall be presumed to be not genuine). Public Analyst of opinion this sample contained not less than 1 6% added water. | Warning letter to producers. |
| Irish Stew (No. 887) | Contained meat 35%, Mixed vegetables 40%. Added water 25%. Public Analyst of opinion meat content should be not less than 45%. | No action. |
| Lemon Juice (No. 911) | Deficient in Vitamin C. | Public Analyst stated this product is subject of negotiation at present time. A further sample to be taken in due course. |