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 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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81
PREMISES WHERE FOOD IS PREPARED.
The routine inspection of premises where food is prepared and sold
has been considerably curtailed during the period under review owing
to the time given to other work connected with the Overcrowding Survey.
Special attention has been given to the general hygienic conditions
of the premises, and a demand made for increased care and cleanliness
in all food handling. First-class equipment, good utensils and, above
all, suitable storage accommodation are the chief matters requiring
attention. The educational value of the work becomes more obvious
and I feel that the appreciation of the more important factors which
lead to food contamination are being better understood. With but few
exceptions, it may be said that the various food trades are conducted
under clean conditions and the food supplied wholesome.
The following is a summary of the premises under inspection:—
| Restaurants in Licensed Premises | 77 |
| Restaurants in Unlicensed Premises | 26 |
| Coffee Houses | 104 |
| Cafes | 96 |
| Stalls | 15 |
| Other Premises | 24 |
During the year, 16 premises have been closed or the trade discontinued
and 22 have been re-opened or newly established.
The record cards show the following facts:—
| Reconstructed. | Improved. | Refrigerators | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleansed. | Installed. | |||
| Public Houses | ||||
| Restaurants | 8 | 2 | 25 | 45 |
| Restaurants | — | — | 6 | 20 |
| Coffee Houses | — | 6 | 31 | 43 |
| Cafes | 9 | 5 | 12 | 30 |
| Other Premises | 3 | 1 | 4 | 7 |
FRIED FISH PREMISES.
The number of premises on the Register at the end of 1936 was 54.
4 have been closed or the trade discontinued, and 4 have been registered
during the year. The total number now registered is 54.
The following represents the work carried out during the year:—
Reconstructed 4
Cold storage is now provided in 32 shops and electrically driven
potato peelers are installed in 49.