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 1971

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

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No. Monthly incidence of Complaints
There is no doubt that in many cases members of the public deal directly with distributors
and manufacturers who in general are willing to accept their responsibilities for food quality.
This being so, the total number of unsound articles of food sold in the City can never be known.
However, the Public Health Service, together with the help of the consumer, the manufacturer,
and the distributor, must continue to exercise control and surveillance so that we may be assured
of obtaining good quality, clean, wholesome food, so far as is practicable, free from visible
dirt, decay, harmful contaminants and toxic substances.

Table: NATURE OF ADULTERATION OR IRREGULARITY

NATURE OF ADULTERATION OR IRREGULARITY

ArticleInformal Formal SampleNature of adulteration or irregularityAction
*Banbury CakeInformalContained the filter tip of a smoked cigarette which had been baked in the cake.Legal proceedings were instituted against the firm of bakers concerned who were fined £25 and ordered to pay £23.40 costs.
*BunInformalContained a rusty 1 inch nail.Legal proceedings were instituted against the firm of bakers concerned who were fined £50 and ordered to pay £15 costs.
*Gateaux with Fresh cream fillingInformalThe gateaux was filled with imitation cream made from emulsified fat, sugar, liquid glucose and water.A letter of caution was sent to the Caterer concerned.
Double Viennois Chambourcy (Dessert)InformalThe declaration of ingredients was printed in very small type around the edge of the lid and was barely legible, being neither conspicuous nor prominent as required by the Labelling of Food Regulations.A letter was sent to the retailer requesting him to ensure that future labels comply with the Labelling of Food Regulations.
"Appletree" DessertInformalContained sulphur dioxide, 470 parts per million, the presence of which was not disclosed on the label.The wholesaler and retailer ware informed that the Dessert was incorrectly labelled. The wholesaler has undertaken to ensure that the new labels comply with the Labelling of Food Regulations.