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 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southwark, Borough of]
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N.B. The fines shown in brackets were those imposed by the Court at the hearing of the summonses.
An appeal against the convictions was dismissed and the fines adjusted as shown above.
The following quantities of foodstuff were on examination found to be unfit for human consumption and were destroyed or disposed of for purposes other than human food:
| Tons | Cwts. | Qrs. | Lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat | 31 | 15 | 3 | |
| Canned meat and meat products | 10 | |||
| Fish | — | — | ||
| Fruit and vegetables | 442 | 3 | ||
| Miscellaneous foodstuffs | 183 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| Total | 743 | 9 | 3 |
Pesticides in Food
The Association of Public Analysts is conducting a comprehensive survey, in
collaboration with the Food and Drugs Authorities, to ascertain the level of pesticides
in foodstuffs at the time of retail sales. The analytical work is being undertaken using
gas chromotography in addition to the other traditional equipment. Very low residues
of insecticides are detectable with the great sensitivity of these analytical methods.
Recommendations about statutory limits can only be based on the consideration
and evaluation of the data which will be available in due course, perhaps in under
two years' time.
The Regulations in force at present in relation to pesticide residues only specify
statutory limits of lead and arsenic.
The Food Additives and Contaminants Committee recommended in September
1966, as follows:
(a) maximum permissible amounts of Aldtin and Dieldrin
Foods in general 0.1 p.p.m.
Mutton 1.0 p.p.m.
Liquid Milk 0.003 p.p.m.
Baby Foods 0.2 p.p.m.
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