London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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City of Westminster 1920

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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71
shops, hotels and hospitals. Of these samples, 8 were good, 4 fair,
4 poor, and 0 adulterated. These samples were taken in consequence
of previous samples having been found below the limit (including cases
where a warranty defence was set up).
Twenty prosecutions were taken with regard to adulteration.—10
for fat abstracted, 8 for added water, and 2 for both fat abstracted and
water added. Cautions were given to sellers whose milk contained less
than 5 per cent, of added water, or had less than 5 per cent, of fat
abstracted. Warranties were set up as a defence in 6 instances and were
successful. It is the general opinion that the provisions of the Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts with regard to warranty defences (especially in the
case of milk) operate to the prejudice of the purchaser and the public
health, and that they should be repealed. Further, a cowkeeper whose
milk is below the standard but proves that it is as given by the cow should
not be allowed to sell such milk, as it means that either the cow is inferior
or being improperly fed.
The Public Health (Milk and Cream) Regulations, 1912 and 1917.
Samples Analysed during the Year, 1920.
Milk.—977 samples were examined for the presence of preservative
and every sample was reported as being free.

Cream.

Number of samples examined for preservative.Number containing preservative.
248

Action Taken.
6 prosecutions ordered Samples contained respectively 37.8, 25.9, 20.8, 16.8
and 112 grainB boric acid per lb.
3 vendors cautioned after ex- Samples contained respectively 14.7, 11.2 and 7.0
planation received, grains boric acid per lb.

Preserved Cream.

Number examined.Without preservative.Preservative under amount stated on label (0.4 per cent.).Preservative over amount stated on label.
203170

Action taken nil Samples contained respectively 26.6, 24.5, 21, 20,3,
18.9, 18.4, 18.2, 10.8, 16.8, 16.6, 14, 14,9.1, 8.4,
7.7, 6.3 and 5.8 grains of boric acid per lb.