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
Greenwich 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough]
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The grading is based on the results of the Methylene Blue Reductase Test and a summary of the year's reports is given below:—
| Samples taken | Time taken to Reduce Methylene Blue | Provisional Grade | Observations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 48 | 4 ½ hours or more | 1 | Satisfactory |
| 33 | 2½ to 4 hours | 2 | Sub-standard |
| 13 | ½ to 2 hours | 3 | Unsatisfactory |
| 2 | 0 hours | 4 | Most Unsatisfactory |
| 2 | Ice-lollies No coliform bacteria isolated. | ||
| 1 | Chocolate mousse „ „ ,, „ | ||
On receipt of a Grade 3 or 4 report it is the practice in this area
to obtain further samples from a vendor before administrative action
is taken. However, in no instance during the year was the latter
course necessary, although the Food Inspectors visited the vendors'
premises to inspect the equipment and to offer advice with a view
to preventing further contamination.
Quantitative Analysis.—Standards for the composition of ice
cream were first laid down in the Food Standards (Ice Cream)
Order, 1951. However, on 7th July, the legal minimum quantity
of fat and milk solids other than fat required to be contained in
ice cream were reduced by the introduction of the Amendment
Order of 1952.
In connection with quantitative analysis 38 samples (33 of
ice cream, 3 of ice lollies and 2 of ice cream powder) were examined
in the normal course of sampling. All were satisfactory and full
reference to the Analyses will be found under the heading of Food
and Drugs Act, 1938.
Food Rejected.—The following table is a summary of unsound food voluntarily surrendered during the year under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936, Section 180 (8), most of which was processed and used for animal feeding:—
| Beef | 105 lbs. | 1,084½ lbs. |
| Beef Sausage Meat | 62½ „ | |
| Beef and Mutton trimmings | 545½ „ | |
| Chicken | 5¾| „ | |
| Ham, sliced | 24½ „ | |
| Mutton | 7 „ | |
| Ox kidneys | 90½ „ | |
| Ox liver trimmings | 12 „ | |
| Pork | 183¾ „ | |
| Pork, cooked salt | 30 „ | |
| Rabbit | 8½ „ | |
| Turkey | 9½ „ | |