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

Hammersmith 1957

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]

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Table: Continued from previous page...

Continued from previous page...

SampleResult of AnalysisRemarks
Slimming TabletsMisleading LabelInformal sample
Slimming TabletsdittoFormal sample to above Warning letter sent Manufacturer agreed to change label.
Ground MustardDeficient in allyl isothiocyanateInformal sample
Ground Mustard48% deficient in allyl isothiocyanateFormal sample to above Warning letter sent Manufacturer agreed to change label
Ground Mustard Seed70% deficient in allyl isothiocyanateNo standard in existence
Beef sausagesContained 750 parts per million of sulphur dioxideInformal sample Legal proceedings taken in 1958 on formal sample.
Hot Milk10% added waterWarning letter
Grape JuiceMinimum quantities of vitamins and minerals not statedInformal sample
Grape JuicedittoFormal sample to above no action
Vitamin Food SupplementContained no vitamin AInformal sample Formal sample genuine
MilkContained dark mould depositsPenalty £3. £3.3.0 costs
MilkDirty MilkPenalty £5. £5.5.0 costs

Table: In addition to samples taken for analysis 270 samples of food were taken for bacteriological examination The results obtained are shown below.

In addition to samples taken for analysis 270 samples of food were taken for bacteriological examination The results obtained are shown below.

No of Samples TakenARTICLE OF FOODOrganisms foundOTHER ORGANISMS
Faecal ColiNon-faecal Coli
209Frozen Whole Egg221 Salmonella thompson
4Cream---
47Imitation Cream (used in bakers confectionery)2102 Staph, aureus 1 Coagulase positive staphylococci
1Custard-_-
2Sponge Cakes---
1Mortadella---
1Liver Sausage---