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

Southwark 1906

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]

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86 87
CANNED FOODS.
About the middle of the year. at the request of Dr. Buchanan of the Local Government Board, I examined 51 samples of Canned Food purchased from shops
in the Borough. The object of the examination was to ascertain the "condition" of the food when opened.
It will be seen by the table that the satisfactory appearance of the can before it is opened is not always a sure guide as to the condition of the food when the can
is opened. Some of the samples which looked sound outside were found, when opened, unsound and unfit for food.
Much of the food recognised as sound, was dry and tasteless. The "paste" foods appeared to have a common base of chopped meat and lard, flavoured and
seasoned according to the label, whether "Chicken and Ham," "Turkey," "Veal and Ham," &c.
Much of the outside of the food was discoloured by the tin. A large portion of the samples recognised as sound, looked anything but appetising.

Table: TABLE 45.Samples of Foodstuffs purchasedbyMr. Weatheritt, and examinedbythe Medical Officer of Health.

TABLE 45.

Samples of Foodstuffs purchasedbyMr. Weatheritt, and examinedbythe Medical Officer of Health.

No.Description of Sample.Brand or Name of Packers on Label.External appearance.Appearance of Food when opened.Appearance of Food when cut up.Amount of Fluid in Tin.Taste of Contents.Smell of Contents.Quality of Meat.Where purchased.
1517Roast Mutton. Eclipse BrandSoundA quantity of mould on contents, and extensive evidence of old decompositionMouldy in partsNoneContents unfit to be tastedNot offensiveUnsound105, Walworth Road
1518Roast BeefEclipse BrandSoundSoundSound, and good qualityAbout 4 ozs.Very goodWholesomeGooddo.
1519Corned BeefRex Brand compressed cooked corned beef. The Cudahy Canning Co., U.S.A.SoundRather drySound, and good qualityNoneGoodSweetSound, and good fooddo.
1520Lunch TongueRex Brand. The Cudahy Canning Co., U.S.A.SoundVery goodSound, and very good qualityNoneSweetSweetVery gooddo.
1521Boiled RabbitWoodland BrandSoundSoundWholesomeNoneGoodDistinctive rabbit smellFairdo.
1522Lunch TongueBoston BrandSoundApparently pigs' tonguesApparently sound, but not inviting2 ozs. salty fluid,apparently brineWholesomeSweetSoft, fair quality263, Walworth Road
1523Boiled RabbitDagmar BrandSoundSoundVery goodSmall quantityExcellentSweetVery gooddo.