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

Lewisham 1966

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

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75
FOOD GENERALLY
Adulteration of food
The number of samples taken during the year under the Food and Drugs Act was
995; of these 16 were formal and 979 informal. After examination the public analyst
reported that 85 of the samples were adulterated below standard or insufficiently
described by the label which amounted to 8.5 per cent of all the samples submitted.

Table: Table 56Samples Analysed

Table 56

Samples Analysed

ArticlesExaminedAdulterated
FormalInformalTotalFormalInformalTotal
Beverages—1414———
Bread, Biscuits, Cakes—3535—77
Colouring matter11617123
Cheese—77———
Drugs—2828—22
Fats—2424—11
Fish—4444———
Flour—1313—33
Flavourings and condiments420621031215
Fruit and nuts—119119145
Icecream—1414———
Jam, pastes11718———
Meats4711145
Milk and cream1121122—1212
Sausages—6868—1010
Soft drinks12728—22
Sweet confectionery12829———
Vegetables and cereals—3434—55
Wines—22———
Miscellaneous3818441115
TOTALS16905921107585

Table: Table 57Non-genuine samples

Table 57

Non-genuine samples

ArticleFormal or InformalAdulteration or irregularityAction taken
Cochineal colouringInformalSample not made from cochinealFormal sample to be taken
Blackcurrant health drinkInformalIncorrect labellingFormal sample to be taken
Cranadilla, cannedInformalContained excessive tinLetter to retailer
Powdered thymeInformalContained excessive leadLetter to retailer
Dehydrated mint flakesInformalContained excessive sand and silicious matterLetter to retailer
Aspic jelly powderInformalIncorrect labellingLetter to retailer