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 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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During the year, one hundred and twenty-three samples of
these milks were taken and one was found to be below the legal
standard laid down. The Public Health Committee decided to issue
a warning to the producer.
The following table shows the average percentages of milk fat and non-fat solids of the genuine samples of these milks taken during each month:-
| Month | No. of samples taken | Average percentages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk fats | Non-fat solids | ||
| January | 10 | 4.23 | 8.91 |
| February | 13 | 4.33 | 8.91 |
| March | 8 | 4.48 | 8.96 |
| April | 6 | 4.11 | 9.09 |
| May | 16 | 4.12 | 9.03 |
| June | 8 | 4.20 | 8.97 |
| July | 13 | 4.53 | 8.92 |
| August | 4 | 4.21 | 8.89 |
| September | 11 | 4.32 | 8.98 |
| October | 16 | 4.49 | 9.07 |
| November | 9 | 4.52 | 9.23 |
| December | 8 | 4.43 | 8.99 |
| Average for the whole year | 4.31 | 8.99 | |
| Legal minimum standards | 4.00 | 8.50 | |
Unsound food
Seizure
Under Part 1 of the Pood and Drugs Act, 1955, it is an
offence to sell, offer, or expose for sale, or to be in possession
for the purpose of sale or preparation for sale, food intended for
human consumption which is in an unfit condition. Such food can
be seized and taken before a Justice of the Peace who can condemn
it, and order it to be destroyed or disposed of for purposes other
than human consumption.
During the year there was one occasion when it was found
necessary to enforce this procedure. This concerned the exposure
for sale of packeted chocolate which was found to be infested with
maggots. Bars and slabs of chocolate, total weight 11 lbs. 2¾ ozs.,
were seized and taken before a magistrate who condemned them as being
unfit for human consumption. The Public Health Committee
authorised that legal proceedings be taken in this case. The
defendant was fined £10. 0s. 0d. and ordered to pay £3.5s.0d.
costs to the Council.
Surrender
Any person having in his possession food which is
diseased, unsound, or unfit for human consumption can, under
Section 180(8) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, surrender
it to the Council for destruction or other suitable method of
disposal.
During the year the following amounts of food were
surrendered and condemned as unfit for human consumption:-