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
Hampstead 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead Borough]
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Particulars of the number classed as "adulterated" are as follows:—
| Sample No. | Article. | Offence. | How dealt with. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | Marmalade (Home made) | Contaminated with iron, probably due to cooking in an | Householder advised. |
| 121 | Coffee Beans, before and after roasting | iron saucepan Coffee beans slightly contaminated with naphthalene but no trace after roasting | Shopkeeper advised all coffee beans in consignment to be roasted before sale. |
| 155 | Curry Powder | Slightly deficient in spices | Manufacturer advised. (Curry Powder Order not in force until October, 1950, as regards retail sales.) |
| 199 | Ginger Wine Essence | Not a wine essence, or a wine when diluted as directed | Sample was the last of old stock held by retailer. Retailer cautioned. |
| 347 | Unsweetened Table Jelly | Contains no sugar and though genuine with regard to Food and Drugs Act does not comply with the Table Jellies Order | Referred to Ministry of Food. |
| 370 | Mincemeat | Slightly deficient in soluble solids 62.7 per cent.—minimum 65.0 per cent. | Manufacturer cautioned. |
| 411 | Low Sugar Raspberry Jam | Contains 53.6 per cent. soluble solids instead of the standard 68.5 per cent. required | Manufacturer cautioned. |
| 455 | Curry Powder | Deficient in spices. Contained less than 85 per cent. spices | Manufacturer cautioned. |
Legal Proceedings.
Summonses under Sections 9 and 83(3) of the Food and Drugs Act.
1938, were served upon the manufacturers in respect of the sale of a
sliced wrapped loaf of bread found to contain a cigarette end. The
Bench imposed a fine of £15 with £5 5s. costs.
Hygiene of Food and Food Premises.
The revised Byelaws for the protection of food in the Metropolis
have not yet been issued. It is hoped they will assist the efforts both
of the Public Health Department and the food trades in improving
the standard of cleanliness of food.
Lectures and demonstrations on clean food have again been given
to local organisations and small groups of food traders.
Food Hygiene at Hampstead Heath Fairs.
I have referred to this in the opening to this Report.
So far as I know this is the first really organised effort of a local
authority to control the hygienic conditions under which food is manufactured,
stored and sold at fairgrounds.
Significant results have already been achieved, the radical improvements
in the siting of stalls and general cleanliness being confirmed by
highly satisfactory bacteriological findings.