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 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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TABLE SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF MEAT, POULTRY AND OTHER FOODS SURRENDERED TO OR SEIZED BY MEAT INSPECTORS IN THE CITY OF LONDON, 1969
| Smithfield Market | Leadenhall Market and City Shops | Cold Stores | Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | C | Q | L | T | C | Q | L | T C | Q | L | T | C | Q | L | |
| Meat (Diseased) | 36 | 12 | 2 | 25 | 3 | 18 | 36 | 13 | 2 | 15 | |||||
| Meat (Unsound) | 241 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 241 | 17 | | | 14 | |
| Offal | 43 | 13 | 2 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 13 | 43 | 17 | 0 | 6 | ||||
| Poultry & Feathered Game | 44 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 46 | 13 | 0 | 5 | |||
| Rabbits and Hares .. | 1 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 20 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 12 | ||||||
| Tinned Meat | 3 | 14 | 0 | 14 | 9 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | ||||
| Other Tinned Goods | 3 | 1 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 9 | ||||
| Frozen Fish | 1 | 2 | 14 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Other Frozen Foods | 2 | 19 | 2 | 19 | |||||||||||
| Cheese | 1 | 12 | 1 | 12 | |||||||||||
| Dripping | 1 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 18 | |||||||||
| 1969 | 374 | 2 | 2 | 26 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 18 | 377 | 18 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | 474 | 11 | 3 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 15 | 1 | 18 | 482 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
FOOD HYGIENE
The Food Hygiene (Market Stalls & Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966, are enforced in
Smithfield Market, which at the 31st December 1969 comprised of 329 stalls occupied by 112
tenants.
Changing trade mainly caused by the cessation of bone in meat supplies from Argentina from
the 1st October gave rise to more tenancy changes than normal.
It is estimated that within Smithfield approximately 3,000 manual workers are employed,
including 440 porters licensed by the Clerk and Superintendent.
Each business is equipped with facilities for personal washing in accordance with Regulation
I6and with facilities for washing equipment in accordance with Regulation 18 of these Regulations.
Meat vehicles owned by meat carrier firms and those owned by butchers maintained a good
standard of cleanliness and internal construction. The cleanliness and equipment of vehicles
used by owners of small restaurants and cafes who seem to attend Smithfield in increasing numbers
were often below desirable standards of cleanliness and equipment. The use of meat carriers
in place of unsuitable vehicles and information to the 'home' local authority is not only a preventive
measure but has proved effective.
The supply of clean protective clothing still remains a difficulty. During the year laundry
facilities have not improved, in fact one laundry which served the market has closed down.
During the year 300 official warning letters were despatched, viz:—
In connection with clothing 39
head covering 39
containers 27
meat contamination 48
premises & equipment 62
smoking 28
trucks 3
vehicles 54
At the end of the year two prosecutions were pending in connection with offences under the
Food & Drugs Act, 1955 and the Food Hygiene (Market Stalls & Delivery Vehicles) Regulations,
1966.
The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, I960.
Around Smithfield, in Leadenhall Market and in the City including Billingsgate area there
are 31 businesses dealing in meat, poultry and game.
Number of premises 31
Number of premises fitted to comply with Regulation 16 31
Number of premises to which Regulation 19 applies 30
Number of premises fitted to comply with Regulation 19 27 *
*Of the three not complying, one after demolition is now temporarily housed in the Fish Market
at Billingsgate.
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