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 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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Administration action regarding adulteration or other irregularity —
| Dried Apricots | Informal | Contained sulphur dioxide, 2180 parts per million, which is in excess of the permitted amount | Representations made to vendor. Stocks withdrawn from sale and the suppliers attention directed to this infringement. |
| *Egg and Tomato Sandwich | Informal | The sandwich had an objectionable taint, which appeared to be due to use of inferior or deteriorated margarine. | This matter was taken up with the manufacturers of the margarine and the caterer to determine the age of the margarine and the materials used in manufacture. |
| Glace Cherries | Informal | Contained sulphur dioxide, 40 parts per million, the presence of which was not disclosed on the label. | These were remnants of the Christmas stock which were no longer on sale. Matter taken up with packers. |
| Haddock Fillets | Informal | Contained artificial yellow colouring matter the presence of which was not disclosed on the label. | Representations made to vendors. |
| Instant Tea | Informal | Consisted of a mixture of "Instant Tea" (dried tea extract), 60% with Lactose, 40%. | Representations made to manufacturers who withdrew stocks from sale. |
| Irish Pork 'n Ham, Canned | Informal | Contained cereal, 2 per cent, the presence of which was not disclosed on the label as required by the Labelling of Food Order. | This matter was taken up with the vendors and the producers in Northern Ireland as a result of which the labels were amended. |
| Kipper Fillets | Informal | Contained artificial brown colouring matter the presence of which was not disclosed on the label. | Representations made to vendors. |
| Milk Shake Syrup | Informal | Contained sulphur dioxide, 280 parts per million, in contravention of the Preservatives in Food Regulations. | Matter taken up with manufacturers. |
| * Orange Drink | Informal | The sample was fermenting when received and unsuitable for drinking purposes. | Representations made to manufacturers. |
| Pasteurised Milk | Informal | Contained Fat, 2.75 per cent; Solids—not—fat, 8.70 per cent, corresponding to the abstraction of 8 per cent of the milk—fat. | This sample was in a sealed carton, and it has not been possible to find a reason for this deficiency. The vendors and producers have investigated thoroughly and further sampling revealed no trouble in this direction whatsoever. |
| Pork Luncheon Meat | Informal | The sample was decomposing and unfit for consumption. | Remainder of vendor's stock examined. This stock was then subsequently withdrawn from sale. |
| Pork Luncheon Meat, Canned | Informal | Contained an artificial colouring matter (Ponceau MX) the presence of which was not disclosed on the label. | Representations made to the vendors and the packers. |
| * Pork Pie | Informal | Contained a dead fly which had been baked in the pie. | Written representations made to vendor and manufacturer. |
| Shredded Suet | Informal | Contained — Fat, 79.0% Rice flour, 21.0% and was therefore deficient of fat. | Representations made to the vendors and the packers. |
| * Steak and Kidney Pie | Informal | Contained a small cooked piece of furred hide. | This matter was reported to Committee who instructed that a warning letter be sent to the manufacturers by the Comptroller and City Solicitor. |
| Tea (Indian and Ceylon) | Informal | Deteriorated and unsuitable for drinking purposes. | Further samples proved fit for human consumption. |
| * Vegetable Salad | Informal | Contained a dead fly. | Written representations to vendor and manufacturer. |
* These samples were examined as a result of complaint by members of the public.
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