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
Islington 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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59
MEAT INSPECTION
In the area of the Borough adjoining the Smithfield Meat Market, there is a large number of wholesale
butchers and associated trades, as follows: —
Wholesale butchers, including offal and poultry dealers 27
Wholesale bacon factories 7
Sausage casing factories 8
Wholesale provision warehouses 6
Public cold air stores 3
The Senior Meat Inspector is engaged full-time in seeing that no diseased or unsound meat is passed on to
the public.
During the year, 1568 certificates were issued in respect of unsound meat and other foods and 328
health certificates were issued for the export of meat etc., to overseas countries.
The Imported Food Regulations 1968 permit the officer at the port of entry to allow any imported meat
etc., to be removed, unexamined, to an inland authority who is then responsible for carrying out this
examination under the Regulations. During 1970, 156 such notifications were received, mostly in respect of
large containers of meat and offals, consigned from the Continent and Eire.
The collection of unsound meat and other foodstuffs continues to be carried out by a Council contractor
who renders down this unsound food for non-edible purposes.
During 1970, the Senior Meat Inspector condemned or had surrendered to him the following:—
| Tons | Cwts. | Qtrs. | Lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat (diseased) | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Meat (unsound) | 22 | 5 | 0 | 27 |
| Bacon | 5 | 17 | 0 | 18 |
| Offals (diseased and unsound) | 13 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Poultry | 2 | 5 | 3 | 9 |
| Game | 0 | 10 | 0 | 26 |
| Rabbits | 0 | 8 | 1 | 9 |
| Canned Foodstuffs | 7 | 15 | 2 | 20 |
| Miscellaneous | 4 | 6 | 1 | 11 |
| Total | 59 | 11 | 0 | 17 |
DISEASES OF ANIMALS ACT, 1950 AND ALLIED LEGISLATION
The Veterinary Officer of the Corporation of the City of London continued to implement this legislation
by arrangement with the Council and liaison was maintained with the Health Department.
Visits were made to Chapel Market in connection with the possible sale of live poultry. In addition,
inspections were carried out at the two Kosher poulterers and the slaughterhouse up to the time of its
closure.
In May it was reported that a monkey belonging to a resident had died and was suspected of having
rabies. Action was taken under the Rabies Order 1938, and other animals in the same house and two other
houses were restricted by notice. This was later withdrawn as a post mortem carried out at the London Zoo
was negative for rabies.
Under the terms of the Animals (Miscellaneous Provisions) Order, 1927, the following Orders were
advertised in the national press:—
Export of Horses (Excepted Cases) Order, 1969.
Export of Horses (Protection) Order, 1969.