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 1970
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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MEAT AND FOOD INSPECTION - SMITHFIELD MARKET
Meat, Poultry and Other Foods delivered at Smithfield Market:-
1970 287,444 tons 1969 316.718 tons
The difference of 29,274 tons in the above figures is roughly balanced by the drop in tonnage on meat from South America delivered at Smithfield.
| 1970 | 1969 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentine | 16,096 tons | Argentine | 38,376 tons |
| Uruguay | 10 | Uruguay | 7,524 |
| Other S/Am. Countries | 5,726 | Other S/Am. Countries | 6,134 |
| 21,832 tons | 52,034 tons |
The replacement of bone in beef by cuts of boneless beef is responsible for this, also for
great changes in some sections of the market and accounts for the lower total of South American
meat surrendered for unsound condition.
Cooled or chilled meat which developed spoilage in transit forms the bulk of unsound meat
surrendered. The meat from Finland surrendered in January, however, was not a fresh import, but
came from a United Kingdom Cold Store.
Meat Inspection Regulations, 1963 These Regulations apply to meat slaughtered in England and Wales. Deliveries of meat from these sources to Smithfield during 1970 were as follows: (1969 figures in parenthesis).
| Beef and Veal | Mutton and Lamb | Pork |
|---|---|---|
| Tons 24,194 (18,447) | 14,895 (14,509) | 39,985 (41,424) |
23 tons II cwts I qr 20 lbs was surrendered for disease and amounted to 0.030% (0.038%) of
deliveries.
Local Authorities continued to be notified of significant losses by reason of disease from
carcases bearing their legible inspection stamps and close liaison was maintained on matters
concerning the Meat Inspection Regulations.
85% of mutton carcases, 34% of pork carcases, and 77% of veal carcases surrendered for
diseased condition carried inspection stamps which were illegible. Some of these carcases,
particularly sheep and young calves, would have been moist and difficult to stamp legibly because
of their condition. These figures, therefore, cannot be related to the stamping of normal, sound
carcases, but no doubt the legibility of stamps would often be improved if more time was available
for drying off before stamping.
Poultry Inspection
There are no premises in the City of London which are used for the processing of live
poultry.
Smithfield supplies come in the main from processing stations in the United Kingdom, while
small quantities may be sent from farm and other premises.
Poultry inspection in the City of London consist of the scrutiny and examination of uneviscerated
carcases from all sources; eviscerated carcases are hard frozen and cannot be examined
for disease.
Carcases of 500 young and 500 adult birds taken at random from poultry condemned at Smithfield
were the subject of a paper "Pathological Findings in Condemned Chickens" by P.A.
Papasolomontos, E.C. Appleby and O.Y. Mayor (Veterinary Record (1969) 85.17). One of the conclusions
reached was (quote) "Lesions of respiratory systems and serous surfaces were found in
almost 50% of young birds. Lesions of the alimentary system, including tuberculosis, and of the
reproductive tract, especially ovarian carcinoma, were common in the older birds."
The picture of disease found remains fairly constant, but Marek's disease was more frequently
found in 1970 and towards the end of the year there were some condemnations of poultry
in which the evidence of disease led to suspicion of Fowl Pest. Information concerning two
sources was passed to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
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