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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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- 48 -
sufficient to justify action, and in the second the alleged dirty
condition of the bottle could not be substantiated.
Composition of milk
During the year, three hundred and sixty-five samples of milk
were submitted to the Public Analyst, and only six were found to be below
the presumptive standards laid down in the Sale of Milk Regulations, 1939.
Warnings were given to the producer or vendor in four cases
and, in addition, the results of three of these samples were sent to the
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. In the remaining two
cases of deficiency, it was decided to take no action.
The following table shows the percentages of milk fats and nonfat solids of the genuine samples taken during each month :-
| Month | No. of samples taken | Average percentages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk fats | Non-fat solids | ||
| January | 37 | 3.72 | 8.63 |
| February | 39 | 3.56 | 8.53 |
| March | 28 | 3.58 | 8.55 |
| April | 23 | 3.73 | 8.73 |
| May | 39 | 3.57 | 8.79 |
| June | 30 | 3.57 | 8.77 |
| July | 29 | 3.89 | 8.79 |
| August | 25 | 4.00 | 9.12 |
| September | 22 | 3.97 | 8.83 |
| October | 53 | 4.03 | 8.88 |
| November | 27 | 4.17 | 8.88 |
| December | 7 | 4.16 | 8.74 |
| Average for whole year | 3.83 | 8.77 | |
| Legal minimum standards | 3.00 | 8.50 | |
Milk and Dairies (Channel Islands and South Devon Milk)
Regulations, 1956
These Regulations came into operation on 1st July, 1956,
and required that all milk for human consumption sold under a specified
description of -
Channel Islands milk,
Jersey milk,
Guernsey milk, or
South Devon milk
must contain not less than 4% by weight of milk fat. This compares
with the presumptive milk fat standard of 3%, specified for ordinary
milk, by the Sale of Milk Regulations, 1939.
Since the 1st July, 1956, sixty samples of these milks have
been taken and not one was found to be below the standard laid down.
Unsound food
Seizure
Under Part I of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, it is an offence