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
Kensington 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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General provisions are made for the protection of milk
against contamination, the cleansing and storage of vessels
used in connection with milk, and the distribution of milk.
Milk in bottles or cartons must not be left on a public
highway, except upon final delivery of a retail sale. The
name and address of the retailer must be displayed on any stall,
cart or barrow from which milk is sold or offered for sale.
Milk.
During the year 379 samples of milk were submitted to the
Public Analyst and, with one exception, were found to be of
genuine composition.
The following table shows percentages of milk fats and non-fat solids of the genuine samples taken during each month:-
| Month | No.of samples taken | Average percentage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk fats | Non-fat solids | ||
| January | 29 | 3.55 | 8.77 |
| February | 56 | 3.60 | 8.60 |
| March | 23 | 3.33 | 8.66 |
| April | 17 | 3.41 | 8.62 |
| May | 31 | 3.64 | 8.70 |
| June | 11 | 3.62 | 8.82 |
| July | 27 | 3.73 | 8.72 |
| August | 12 | 3.74 | 8 . 61 |
| September | 25 | 3.76 | 8.68 |
| October | 63 | 3.63 | 8.76 |
| November | 57 | 3.59 | 8.78 |
| December | 27 | 3.60 | 8.76 |
| Average for whole year | 3.60 | 8.70 | |
Milk fats Non-fat solids
Legal minimum standards:- 3.00% 8.50%
Adulteration of Food.
During the year 477 formal samples of food and drugs were
taken of which 2 (0.41%) were adulterated; 523 informal
samples were taken of which 2 (0.38%) were adulterated.
Unsound Pood.
Seizure.
Under Section 10 of the Pood and Drugs Act, 1938, food
sold, exposed for sale or in preparation for sale and found
in an unfit condition, can be seized and taken before a
Justice who can condemn it and order it to be destroyed or
disposed of for purposes other than human consumption.
There were five instances during the year of food being
condemned under these provisions. In three cases the
Public Health Committee decided to give warnings to the
vendors. Proceedings were taken in the other two cases
and a fine of £10 and five guineas cost were imposed in each
instance. In one of these cases an appeal was dismissed by
the Quarter Sessions (February,1950), twenty guineas costs
being allowed to the Council.