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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FISH INSPECTION
Inspection of fish in the City of London is carried out by officers of the Worshipful the
Fishmongers' Company.
The Fishmeters returns indicated as follows:-
| Deliveries at or near Billingsgate Market (including shellfish) | Weight of Fish condemned | Condemnation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 75,490 tons | 246 tons | 0.33% |
MEAT AND FOOD INSPECTION - SMITHFIELD MARKET
Meat, Poultry and Other Foods delivered at Smithfield Market:
1971 275,470 tons 1970 287,444 tons
Major differences from 1970:
| England & Wales | Scotland | Northern Ireland | Republic of Ireland | Australia | South America |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tons | Tons | Tons | Tons | Tons | Tons |
| -7,431 | -3,740 | + 4,163 | + 5,912 | + 2,147 | -9,495 |
These tonnage figures cannot be fully significant because of the increased supplies of
boneless meat.
Spoilage such as decomposition and bacterial slime was the reason for most losses due to
unsound condition.
Meat Inspection Regulations, 1963
These Regulations apply to meat slaughtered in England and Wales. Deliveries of meat from
these sources to Smithfield during 1971 were as follows: (1970 figures in parenthesis):-
Beef & Veal Mutton & Lamb Pork
Tons 22,733 (24,194) 13,193 (14,895) 33,342 (39,985)
14 tons 12 cwts 2 qrs 8 lbs amounting to 0.21% (0.03%) of deliveries was surrendered for disease.
Local Authorities were kept informed in matters concerning these Regulations and meat
from their area.
Poultry Inspection
There are no premises in the City of London which are used for the processing of live poultry.
Poultry packers in the United Kingdom were the main suppliers.
Losses mostly consisted of unfrozen carcases. Damp carcases enclosed in plastic bags and
cartons are particularly vulnerable. The unseasonable warm spell during Christmas week 1971
was responsible for some large losses.
It must be complimentary to the well known integrity of Smithfield Wholesalers that not one
complaint about poultry bought in Smithfield at Christmas time was received.
Routine scrutiny and examination for disease of unfrozen poultry was carried out, the results
prove this to be an important part of the Meat Inspectors task.
Imported Food Regulations, 1968
Imported meat in 5,738 containers, mostly from the Republic of Ireland, notified as unexamined
at the Port of Entry for the purpose of these Regulations were examined on arrival at
Smithfield.
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