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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
Lambeth 1926
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lambeth Borough]
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Analysis of Food and Drugs and Water—
| Samples. | Formal. | Informal. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number Analysed. | Number Adulterated. | Number Analysed. | Number Adulterated. | |
| Malt Vinegar | 12 | — | — | _ |
| Cream | — | — | 11 | 8 |
| Preserved Cream | — | — | 4 | - |
| Margarine | 1 | — | — | - |
| Fruits (Dried) | — | — | 16 | - |
| Jam | — | — | 4 | — |
| 830 | 35 | 1170 | 33 | |
N.B.—14 summonses (14 adulterations) were issued (1 conviction, 12
dismissals, 1 not heard owing to death of defendant).
Water.
No sample of water was submitted to the Analyst for analysis.
2 samples of so-called flour whiteners or " improvers" were
analysed and found to consist of—
(а) calcium phosphate 88 parts, benzoyl peroxide 12 parts, and
(б) ammonium persulphate, 100 parts.
Persulphate of ammonium and benzoyl ,peroxide are both known
as being used for decolourising flour, and, in small quantities, are not
injurious to health. Calcium phosphate is simply a diluent.
Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations, 1912 and 1917.*
All samples of milk are examined by the Public Analyst, as a
routine, for the presence of preservatives, and, of the 713 samples
of milk taken during 1926 (712 formal, and 1 informal), in no single
instance were preservatives found. 11 samples of cream (all informal),
and 4 samples of preserved cream (all informal), were also taken
with the results set out below.
The action taken under the Public Health (Milk and Cream)
Regulations, 1912 and 1917, may be tabulated as follows :
Headings of Report of Administration. 1. Milk ; and cream not sold as preserved cream :—
| (a) No. of samples examined for the presence of a preservative. | (b) No. in which a preservative was reported to be present. | |
|---|---|---|
| Milkt | 713 | — |
| Cream | 11 | 8 |
Nature of preservative in each case in column (b) and action
taken under the Regulations in regard thereto—Boric
Acid (no action).
* The Amendment Order (February 8th, 1917) came into operation on
April 2nd, 1917, and lays down a maximum of 0 4 per cent. of Boric Acid added to
cream, such cream to be sold as preserved cream and to be labelled with the words,
" Cream containing boric acid is unsuitable for infants and invalids."
† Including separated milk (1).