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
Deptford 1951
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford Borough]
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4 samples of Canned Fruits and 1 of Tomato Soup, which had become
contaminated by dissolved metal due to corrosion ; and 1 sample of
Canned Sardines, which was undergoing decomposition. A sample of
Ice Cream contained only 3% of fat, instead of at least 5% as required
by the Food Standards Order ; a sample of Beef Suet contained added
rice flour, and 2 samples of Pork Brawn contained 5 and 7% of chopped
bone ; a sample of Fruit Pie was stale and rancid, and a sample of Cake
Mixture also contained rancid fat ; 2 samples of Dried Milk were not of
satisfactory quality owing to deterioration or other defects, and a packet
of Cocoa had been damaged by the Cocoa Moth ; a sample described as
" Seed Tapioca " consisted of Sago ; a sample of Pork Sausage was
deficient in meat, and a sample of Uncooked Pastry deficient in fat ; and
2 samples of Table Jelly failed to set satisfactorily when made up.
" No further instances of the use of mineral oils in cakes or other foods
were detected during 1951.
"In addition to the analyses under the Food and Drugs Act, the results of which have been summarised above, 115 samples were examined under other Acts, Orders and Regulations. Particulars of these samples are furnished below :
| Relevant Act or Order | Article | Number of Samples | Number Failing to Comply | Nature of Irregularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defence (Sale of Food) Regulations 1943 | Sponge Cake & Pudding Flour Mixture Unsweetened (No. 2) | 1 | 1 | The word " Unsweetened" was printed in small type and was inconspicuous. Description liable to be misleading. |
| Meringue Mixture (No. 200) | 1 | 1 | Contained neither sugar nor white of egg. A false description. | |
| Food Standards (Mustard) (No.2) Orders, 1944-50 | Mustard | 2 | 0 | |
| Food Standards (Liquid Coffee Essences) Order 1945 | Coffee and Chicory Essence | 6 | 0 | |
| Food Standards (Self-raising Flour) Order 1946 | Self-raising Flour | 5 | 0 |