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 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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branch establishment of a multiple firm of grocers (not on the
register), which on analysis, was found to contain a percentage
of ammonia consistent with that of a poison included in Part II
of the Poisons' List. In addition, the labelling of the
sample did not meet with the requirements of the Pharmacy and
Poisons Act, 1933. A communication was addressed to the firm
in question drawing their attention to the requirements of the
Act and also to the fact that their name was not included in
the Local Authority list of sellers of poisons included in
Part II of the Poisons' List„ The firm subsequently made
application to have their name entered on such list and agreed
to amend the labels in question to conform with the requirements
of the Act.
Water Supply
Although the water supply in Kensington is almost entirely
provided by the Metropolitan Water Board, there are three premises
which obtain water from artesian and deep wells. Samples of
water were taken both by the Council and the owners for
bacteriological and chemical examination. Results showed that
the waters were suitable for drinking and other domestic purposes.
Ice Cream
The Pood Standards (Ice Cream) Order, 1951, made under the
Pood Standards (General Provisions) Order, 1944, and which came
into operation on the 1st March, 1951, provided a minimum standard
for ice cream of 5% fat, 10% sugar and 7½% milk solids other than
fat.
The following table shows the number of samples taken during 1954 for chemical analysis compared with the previous year :-
| 1954 | 1953 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of samples | 23 | |||
| Variation of fat content per cent | 5.1 to 11.7 | 3.9 to 12.6 | ||
| Variation of non-fat content per cent | 22.2 to 26.9 | 20.3 to 27.4 | ||
| Average fat content per cent | 8.65 | 8.82 | ||
| Average non-fat solids content per cent | 24.40 | 22.28 | ||
There is still no legal bacteriological standard for ice
cream. As in previous years, samples were taken and submitted
for examination under the provisional methylene blue reduction
test which is a simple and practical means for the routine
examination of ice cream. The test is not of sufficient
precision to justify its use as a statutory test. The grading
is determined by the length of time taken to decolourize the
methylene blue and it is suggested that if samples consistently
fail to reach grade 1 and 2 it would be reasonable to regard
this as an indication of defects in manufacture or handling
which warrant further investigation.
During the year twenty-one samples of ice cream were taken
and submitted to the methylene blue test. The results are as
follows :-