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 1973
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Islington Borough]
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COMPLAINTS
During 1973 the number of complaints about food containing foreign matter or being out of
condition was 129. This was slightly less than last year's total and amounts to a very small percentage
of food that must be bought and consumed in the Borough during a full year.
Each complaint made was thoroughly investigated but legal proceedings were only possible in
those cases where the complainant was willing to give evidence of purchase on the Council's behalf.
However, the more informal investigations proved rewarding in that the manufacturer or the
producer was made aware of a deficiency or oversight on the part of his company which had led to a
customer being dissatisfied and was able to take remedial action. The involvement of the local
authority, even in an informal investigation following a food complaint means, that manufacturers
and producers are more likely to take necessary action.
The following prosecutions were instituted under Section 2 of The Food and Drugs Act 1955:-
| Fines £ | Costs £ | |
|---|---|---|
| Live larvae in packet of mixed cereal | 60 | 15 |
| Mould Growth in portion of cooked chicken | 50 | 10 |
| Mould Growth in crumpets | 25 | 10 |
| Mouse in packet of rice | Absolute discharge | 10 |
| Loaf containing a portion of a cutting blade | 20 | 10 |
| Mould Growth and white coating on coffee creams | 100 | 20 |
| Mould Growth in can of beans with tomato sauce | 35 | 10 |
| Piece of metal in part sliced large white loaf | 75 | 25 |
| Stale sausage and one affected with mould growth in packet of sausage rolls | 15 | 10 |
| Packet of walnut pieces infested with insects | 75 | 10 |
| Packet of prunes containing two parts of a mouse | 25 | 10 |
| Two foreign bodies in small white loaf | 25 | 10 |
| Spider in meat pie | 20 | 10 |
| Eccles cake containing human hair | 30 | 10 |
| Cockroach in cooked Madras Curry | 25 | 10 |
| Loaf of bread containing mould growth | 15 | 10 |
| Mouldy beefsteak and kidney puddings | 50 | 10 |
SAMPLING
Bacteriological checks are made regarding the cleanliness of food to establish whether it is free
from or infected with pathogens. Chemical examination of food is made to establish that the
contents are to the standard the purchaser is entitled to demand.
Labels are examined to ensure compliance with the Labelling of Food Regulations.
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