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 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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29
LABELLING OF FOOD ORDER, 1950
This Order came into operation on November 1st, and
substantially re-enacts in consolidated form the Labelling of
Food Order, 1946, and amending Orders, and introduces certain
new provisions.
MOLASSES
During the year a sample of molasses taken from a vegetarian
food shop in the Borough was found to contain lead and other
metallic contaminants in poisonous quantities. The contamination
varied from 5 to 50 parts per million and some samples
contained large quantities of arsenic.
These goods were imported in bulk and tinned in 1 lb. and 2 lb.
containers by the shopkeeper, who immediately agreed to withdraw
the remaining stock.
Enquiries revealed that small quantities of molasses which
had undergone some refining process were allowed to be
imported from Australia, Africa, etc., already packed, and
although there was no guarantee that they were free from
metallic contamination, they were intended for human consumption.
Imports of crude molasses in bulk unpacked form,
however, are quite unfit for, and never intended to be used for
human consumption; they are imported for industrial purposes
only, and the only conclusion was that there had been some
illicit diversion of this material on to the market for human
consumption.
FOOD & DRUGS ACT, 1938 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Sample No.
Cause of proceedings.
Result.
671
Selling Beef Sausage Meat 16 per cent.
deficient in meat.
Fined £2 and
£2 12s. 6d. costs.
700
Selling Zinc & Castor Oil Cream B.P.C.
80 per cent. deficient in castor oil.
Fined £4 and
£3 3s. 0d. costs.
26
Selling Non-Brewed Vinegar 16 per cent.
deficient in acetic acid.
Fined £3 and
£2 2s. 0d. costs.
176
Selling Vinegar 20 per cent. deficient in acetic
acid.
Summons withdrawn
in view of
recent High Court
decision as to
wording of Food
& Drugs summonses.
219
Selling Cut Mixed Peel containing 420 parts
per million of sulphur dioxide.
Summons withdrawn.
Warranty
pleaded.
Supplying firm
in liquidation.
Five cautionary letters were sent in respect of other non-genuine samples