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
Bethnal Green 1938
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bethnal Green Borough]
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80
UNSOUND FOOD.
In addition to the special inspections of slaughterhouses
and other premises where food is prepared or
sold, the Food Inspectors keep stalls and market
places under regular supervision, particularly during
the week-end. The District Sanitary Inspectors
also keep general observation in the course of their
duties.
On 27 occasions during the year, unsound food was examined and destroyed as trade refuse comprising the following articles:—
| Description of Article. | Weight. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fish | — | 4 | 42 |
| Fruit | 2 | 1 | 74 |
| Meat | — | 1 | 90¾ |
| Vegetables | — | — | 98 |
| Rabbits | — | 1 | 66 |
| Turkeys | — | — | 59 |
| Lemon Curd | — | — | 16 |
also 60 eggs and 1 bushel of winkles.
Most of this food was surrendered by the owners
but in 4 cases the food was seized by the inspector:
30 eggs, 30 eggs, 39f lbs. meat and faggots,
20 lbs. blackcurrants.
A noteworthy case of unsound food was dealt
with during the year in which, for the first time,
the new penalty under the Public Health (London)
Act, 1936, of the public exhibition at the defendant's
premises of a notice of his conviction, was put into
operation. The circumstances in this case were
such as amply to justify severe measures. Not
only had the tradesman in question been convicted
on 2 occasions of having substantial quantities of