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In addition to samples of trade wastes discharged from premises, 98 samples were
obtained from sewers in connection with unsatisfactory discharges from premises, in
order to determine the effects of such discharges when diluted in the normal flow of sewage.
Besides the samples of discharges to the Council's main drainage system, samples of
discharges to local sewers were submitted by eleven metropolitan boroughs.
Foodstuffs
The many varieties of foods submitted for examination fall into three main groups;
tender samples for contracts, ordinary deliveries (including a number examined at the
request of certain hospital boards) and samples of doubtful quality, or giving rise to
complaint, received from the Supplies department or user departments. Tender samples
are examined for conformity with London County Council specifications or recognised
standards, in order to select the cheapest satisfactory offer or to secure the best value for
money. Where a specification is not thought desirable the examination is directed to secure
good quality combined with any particular property desired by the department concerned.
An exhibition of foodstuffs was arranged by the Children's and Supplies departments
in conjunction with their catering conference on 1 April and the branch contributed a
stand showing methods of analysis of school meals as well as specimens under microscopes.
School meals
Fifty.two samples of midday meals classified under three age groups were examined in
the course of the year. The minimum standards applied to the three age groups are:
Age Calories Protein Fat Calcium
Above 11 years 800 20 gm. 25 gm. 400 mgm.
7.11 years 650
Under 7 years 500
The average amounts of the principal nutrients contained in the meals showed very
little change from last year and exceed or satisfy all target requirements, except for slight
deficiencies in the calorific values for the two older groups. Second helpings are generally
available and children taking them will naturally obtain higher amounts than those
mentioned, which are based on the analyses of single portions.
Two series of meals covering 24.hour periods at residential schools were analysed as
part of routine inspections by the Education Officer's department.
Milk
Samples of milk purchased by the Council for consumption in its schools, nurseries,
hostels and other establishments are examined regularly to ensure compliance with the
standards prescribed by the regulations under the Food and Drugs Act, etc. Enforcement
is the responsibility of the local food and drugs authorities and reports are received from
the metropolitan borough councils and several local authorities outside London; where
supplies to Council establishments are not otherwise reported, samples are obtained
regularly and examined in the County Hall laboratory.
Drinking water
Care is taken to ensure that the water supplies to Council establishments are of a satisfactory
quality, by regular monthly inspection and sampling at 15 establishments where
the supplies are drawn from private wells. Before use the water from these wells is chlorinated
by means of automatic dosing apparatus. Well supplies at some of the hospitals
formerly under the control of the Council have continued to be inspected and sampled.
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