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 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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FOOD SAMPLING
During the year under review, 584 samples and 900 informal samples were submitted to the Public Analyst. Of these, 13 and 19 respectively revealed adulteration or other infringements, as follows:—
| Samples Examined | Non-genuine Samples | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | |
| Milk | 121 | 45 | 1 | — |
| Condensed milk | — | 9 | — | — |
| Ice-cream | 37 | 28 | 1 | 3 |
| Fats, cheese, etc. | 62 | 57 | 3 | 1 |
| Meat and fish preparations | 48 | 145 | 3 | 2 |
| Cereals, etc. | 54 | 88 | — | 1 |
| Non-brewed condiments, etc. | 22 | 21 | 2 | 3 |
| Herbs | 20 | 13 | — | — |
| Spices and condiments | 25 | 38 | — | — |
| Pickles, sauces, etc. | 14 | 45 | — | — |
| J ams and preserves | 20 | 15 | — | — |
| Wines, spirits and ales | 14 | 55 | 2 | 5 |
| Soft drinks | — | 32 | — | 1 |
| Medicine and drug preparations | 3 | 75 | — | 1 |
| Canned fruit | 8 | 24 | — | — |
| Dried fruit | 20 | 21 | — | — |
| Canned vegetables | — | 14 | — | — |
| Custard powders, jellies, etc. | 12 | 36 | — | 1 |
| Confectionery | 50 | 68 | 1 | 1 |
| Tea. coffee, cocoa, etc. | 43 | 34 | — | — |
| Cake and pudding mixtures | 11 | 37 | — | — |
| Totals | 584 | 900 | 13 | 19 |
Non-Genuine Samples.
Formal Samples
| No. | Sample of | Result | Action taken |
|---|---|---|---|
| 496 | Whisky. | 41 degrees under proof. | Summons. |
| 497 | Gin. | 41.5 degrees under proof. | Summons. |
| 514 | Butter brazils. | 7.5 per cent. deficient in fat. | Caution. |
| 67 | Milk. | 5.4 per cent. added water. | Caution. |
| 85 | Preserved pork sausages. | Sulphur dioxide 720 parts per million. | Summons. |
| 197 | Ice-cream. | 4 per cent. deficient in fat. | Caution. |
| 207 | Cider vinegar. | 10 per cent. deficient in acetic acid. | Summons. |
| 236 | Butter. | 16.4 per cent. water. | Summons. |
| 246 | Butter. | 17.2 per cent. water. | Summons. |
| 247 | Butter. | 16.8 per cent. water. | Summons. |
| 275 | Minced beef. | Sulphur dioxide 2,400 parts per million. | Summons. |
| 290 | Minced beef. | Sulphur dioxide 180 parts per million. | Summons. |
| 401 | Non-brewed condiment. | 5 per cent. deficient in acetic acid. | Caution. |