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
Paddington 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]
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Of the 600 samples, only 3 (0.50 per cent.) were " not genuine." and particulars of these, and the action taken are shown below :—
| Article | Formal or Informal | Nature of Adulteration or Irregularity | Action Taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sausages | Informal | 34% deficient in meat | Formal sample.taken |
| Sausages | Formal | 14% deficient in meat | No proceedings taken in view of circumstances, but further samples to be taken periodically. |
| Cooking fat | Informal | 100% soft paraffins in composition | No action, as further investigation revealved that the fat was used only for greasing bread tins. |
Unsound Food.—Approximately 13 tons of diseased or unsound food were surrendered by tradesman for destruction,
as against 28f tons surrendered in 1947. There were no " seizures " of unsound food.
Food Poisoning.—12 cases of Food Poisoning or Suspected Food Poisoning were enquired into, but there was nothing
of a serious nature calling for special report.
Inspections.—The visits paid by the Food Inspectors to food premises and stalls were as under :—
Bakers 46 (77)
Butchers 757 (737)
Confectioners 151 (154)
Dairies 458 (538)
Fish 347 (312)
Fried Fish 163 (84)
General 219 (280)
Greengrocers 265 (325)
Grocers 795 (900)
Ice Cream 333 (301)
Public Houses 109 (56)
Provisions 643 (735)
Restaurants 742 (709)
Street Traders 17 (68)
Milk (Special Designations) Regulations.—Licences were issued as follows :—
Dealers' Principal Licences—
To sell—" Pasteurised " Milk 44
" Tuberculin-Tested" Milk 19
Dealers' Supplementary Licences—
To sell—" Pasteurised " Milk 3
" Tuberculin-Tested" Milk 3
Forty samples of " Pasteurised " milk were taken for bacteriological test, all of which complied with the prescribed
conditions.
Ice Cream.—One hundred and forty-six premises in the Borough are registered pursuant to Section 14 of the Food
and Drugs Act, 1938, as follows :—
Manufacture, sale and storage 16
Sale only 130
146
and 333 inspections were made. The vehicles of street vendors, on which have to appear the names and addresses of
the vendors, were also kept under supervision.