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 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham Borough]
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ADULTERATION
The number of samples taken during the year under the Foods and
Drugs Act was 704. After examination the public analyst reported
that 17 samples were adulterated, below standard or insufficiently
described by label. This accounts for 2.4 per cent of all
samples submitted.
SAMPLES ANALYSED
| Articles | Examined | Adulterated | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | |
| Foodstuffs | 2 | 391 | — | 10 |
| Milk and cream | - | 106 | - | 3 |
| Other drinks | - | 49 | - | 1 |
| Drugs and medicines | - | 4 | - | - |
| Miscellaneous | - | 152 | - | 3 |
| TOTALS | 2 | 702 | - | 17 |
DEFICIENCIES FOUND IN SAMPLES
| Article | Formal or Informal | Adulteration or irregularity | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple puree | Informal | Contained excessive lead | withdrawn from sale by manufacturers. |
| Grillburgers | Informal | Irregular labelling | Public Analyst has withdrawn his comments. |
| Chopped ham | Informal | Deficient in meat | Further sample satisfactory. |
| Butter | Informal | Contained excess water | Further sample satisfactory. |
| Fresh milk concentrate | Informal | No provision exists for the sale of this product in the condensed milk regulations | Newcastle CB negotiating a test case. Further action pending result. |
| Steak pie | Informal | Deficient in meat | Further sample taken. |
| Ground cinnamon | Informal | Contained excess copper | Letter to manufacturer. |
| Boned chicken in jelly | Informal | Deficient in meat | Further sample taken-letter to importer. |
| Chopped ham and pork | Informal | Deficient in meat | Letter to manufacturer. |