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

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City of London 1969

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

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ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION REGARDING ADULTERATION OR OTHER IRREGULARITY

ArticleInformal or Formal SampleNature of adulteration or irregularityAction
*BreadInformalComprised baked in the bread a small dark brown, elongated foreign body composed of a mixture of grease, flour, sawdust, rust and fragments of poppy seeds.A letter of warning was sent to the bakers of the bread.
ButterInformalConsisted of three 80z. blocks of butter, each of which showed evidence of attack by mice.A thorough investigation was carried out by a Public Health Inspector who advised on measures necessary for Rodent Control. As all these measures have been undertaken by the merchant concerned no further action was considered necessary.
*CheeseInformalThe cheese was stale and unsuit-unsuitable for sale.Appropriate representations made to the manager of the public house from where the cheese was purchased.
Cake/Pastry *Blackcurrent and Apple PieInformalContained baked in the pie a five inch length of human hair.A letter of warning was sent to the manufacturer concerned.
*Fresh Cream SliceInformalThe cream was souring and undergoing decomposition.A cautionary letter was sent to the retailer.
Cream SlicesInformalThe slices were filled with an imitation cream made from emulsified fat, sugar and water.The cakes were mistakenly labelled in the tray. Appropriate representations were made to the retailer concerned.
*Danish PastryInformalContained embedded in the pastry a gritty brown mass composed of sand, minerals and lime, similar to mortar.A letter of warning was sent to the retailer and manufactuer concerned.
*Souflette SpongeInformalThe cake was mouldy, rancid and unfit for human consumption.Legal proceedings were instituted against the Caterer concerned. The defendant pleaded guilty and was fined £20 plus £8 costs.
Fish * Kipper filletsInformalThe kippers had an unpleasant, stale smell and were not fit for consumption.Appropriate representations were made to the retailer and the wholesaler whose premises were within the City. Written representations were also made to the manufacturers whose premises were outside the City.
Shrimps, cannedInformalThe can was only half filled with liquor, suggesting a fault in the canning. The shrimps were badly broken up and had a strong "fishy" taste; although not necessarily unfit for consumption they were below normal quality and were unappetizing.Details of the Analyst's findings were sent to the Importers. Further subsequent samples were found to be satisfactory.
Fruit Dried FigsInformalThe figs had been attacked and contaminated by mice, mites and insects.The whole consignment was disposed of for animal food.
Stuffed OlivesInformalThe proportion of acetic acid (0.5) was insufficient to prevent decomposition and the sample rapidly deteriorated after being opened.The attention of the supplier has been brought to the remarks of the Public Analyst.
California PrunesInformalContained mineral hydrocarbon 0.25, the presence of which was not disclosed on the label.The matter was brought to the attention of the packers who agreed to have present and future stocks re-labelled so as to conform with the Regulations.
Choc Ice BarsInformalThe sample has a slight, unpleasant smell of stale fat suggesting storage in a contaminated refrigerator.An investigation indicated that the storage arrangements were unsatisfactory. Suitable advice was given as to the proper storage of this commodity.