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

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Marylebone 1925

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]

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35
Milk. —Of the 259 samples taken and examined during the year four were
adulterated. This represents 1.54 per cent. of the total, a figure much lower than
any obtained during recent years. In 1922 the percentage was 3.36, in 1923
2.18 per cent. and 2.56 per cent. for 1924.
The worst instance of adulteration was one which was 13.3 per cent. deficient
in fat and which contained 27.53 per cent. of added water. This was a private
sample.

Coming now to the average composition of the milks taken during the year we find the figures to be as follow:—

YearSp. Gr.Total SolidsFatSolids not Fat
19251031.312.273.588.69
19241031.3312.423.708.72

The figures for 1924 are given for comparative purposes, and from the comparison
we must conclude that little variation in quality has taken place during
the year, though what variation there is is in a retrograde direction.
Butter.—200 samples were analyzed during the year and none was found to
be adulterated. This represents a great improvement on the previous year when
out of 215 taken 2.33 per cent, were adulterated.
Margarine.—In the manufacture of this food under modern conditions so much
use is made of cheap and varied vegetable products that there is little incentive
to any form of adulteration other than excess of water or excess of preservative.
Of the 33 samples examined during the year none was adulterated, and
none contained excess of either of the substances mentioned.
Cream.—24 samples were taken and all were found genuine, and none contained
other preservative than, or an amount in excess of, what was allowed on the
label.
Sugar.—3 samples of Demarara sugar and 5 of granulated were examined,
but no sample was contaminated with tin, as was one of the samples taken during
1924. It is to be hoped that this indicates that the steps taken by the Ministry
of Health as a result of the previous report may be so effective as to prevent any
such contaminated sugar being again on sale.
Brick Ice Cream.—One of the two samples examined contained Boric Acid
(0.057 per cent.).
Sponge Cakes.—5 samples were examined and it is satisfactory to note that
none contained boric acid as a constituent of any of the ingredients used in the
manufacture.
Tea.—In view of the grave and disquieting statements which have been made
in what should be authorative quarters, it is very satisfactory to find that none of
the 25 samples examined contained any form of adulteration whatsoever.
Rolls and Butter.—4 samples were taken—none was adulterated.
Whisky.—Of the 20 samples analyzed 4 were adulterated, this represents no
less than 20 per cent, of the whole number taken—a very considerable proportion.
Other Samples.—All the other samples examined were genuine and call for
no special comment.