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
City of London 1935
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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48
SUPERVISION OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
Daring the year 1935, 1,032 samples of food and drugs were submitted to the Public
Analyst for examination, 771 of which were taken as informal or test samples without the
formalities of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, being observed. Sixteen of
these informal samples were reported against, as follows :—
Samples.
3 Canned Vegetables 25
3 Sausages 41
2 Canned Fish 9
2 Fish Paste 18
2 Iodine Ointment 6
1 Calomel Ointment 3
1 Phenol Ointment 1
1 Canned Fruit 12
1 Vinegar 25
16
Of the formal samples, 11 out of 261 were reported against, as follows :—
| Samples. | |
|---|---|
| 6 Milk | 221 |
| 2 Whisky | 21 |
| 1 Vinegar | 1 |
| 1 Iodine Ointment | 3 |
| 1 Canned Vegetables | 1 |
| 11 |
The above-mentioned samples, with the exception of milk and whisky, were taken as
the result of informal samples having been reported against.
General Observation.—The percentage rate of adulteration of all food and drugs sampled
in the City was 2 -6, as compared with 3 -9 in 1934.
Butter, Cream and Cheese.—None of the 89 samples of these important articles of dairy
produce was reported against.
Canned Goods.—Forty-eight samples of canned goods were taken and seven of them
found to contain tin in excess of 2 grains per lb. Five of these samples were procured from
one vendor, who surrendered five bushels of unsold stock for destruction. Two samples of
canned fish were also found to contain tin in excess, and the importers were communicated
with, who immediately instituted enquiries to remedy the matter.
Sausages.—Of the 41 samples of sausages taken, three were reported against as containing
sulphur dioxide, though no declaration had been made of its presence by label or
notice, as required. In no case did the amount of preservative found exceed the permissible
limit. In each case the vendors were cautioned.
Fish Pastes.—Two of the 18 samples of fish pastes were found to contain lead. The
manufacturers were immediately communicated with, the source of the contamination
ascertained and eliminated.
Spirits.—Two of the 30 samples of spirits were found to be below the legal limit of
35 degrees under proof and legal proceedings were instituted in each case. One vendor
was fined £2, with £3 3s. od. costs, and one summons was dismissed under the Probation
of Offenders Act.
Drugs.—Of the 107 samples procured, five were reported against, three of them being
iodine ointment, the vendors in each case being cautioned.