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 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Greenwich Borough.
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The following table is a statistical record of the major portion of the duties performed and inspections undertaken during the year by the Food Inspectors.
| Premises Inspected or Visits Made | No. of Visits | No. of Premises at which Improvements were effected |
|---|---|---|
| Caterers', Restaurants, etc. | 392 | 32 |
| Grocers | 396 | 39 |
| Butchers' Shops | 119 | 15 |
| Dairies, milk shops | 101 | 1 |
| Licensed Victuallers | 34 | 1 |
| Wharves and Factories | 355 | — |
| Bakehouses | 57 | 4 |
| Ice-Cream Shops, etc. | 235 | 9 |
| Fried Fish Shops | 53 | 2 |
| Other Fish Shops | 53 | 6 |
| Cooked Meat & Preserved Foods | 87 | * |
| Visits Re. Shops Act | 275 | — |
| „ „ Rat Infestation | 9 | — |
| „ „ Food and Drugs Act | 201 | — |
| ,, ,, Merchandise Marks Act & Markets | 254 | - |
| „ „ Food Poisoning | 34 | - |
| Sampling Visits | 346 | - |
| Fair Visits | 14 | - |
| School Visits | 37 | - |
| Miscellaneous Visits (including Flour MillsCyanide Fumigation) | 478 | 7 |
| Interviews | 26 | — |
| Complaints Investigated | 75 | — |
| Totals | 3,747 | 116 |
Bakehouses.—At the end of the year, 12 premises in the
Borough were being used as bakehouses, none of which was
underground.
Bakehouses and bakers' shops were visited on 57 occasions and,
as a result of the inspections 4 improvements were realised. Thes<
alterations were effected solely by informal action.
Catering Establishments.—Public demand for communal
catering continues and as a result of this practice of ' eating out '
the inspection and supervision of cafes, restaurants, works' canteens
etc.,remains one of the most important duties of the Food Inspectors.
Disregard of normal hygiene in the handling and preparation of
food at such establishments can lead to an outbreak of food poisoning
on a large scale and it is a tribute to the Inspectors' vigilance
that no such outbreaks have occurred.