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
Marylebone 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for St. Marylebone, Metropolitan Borough]
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It is pointed out in the Report that the identification of colours in foods will not be straightforward,
but it is hoped that with the introduction of modern techniques it may be possible for analysts to
develop methods for their identification. Reports of this type, taken with those on the addition of
anti-oxidants to foods, and limits for lead, arsenic, copper, zinc and tin illustrate the increasing
complexity of food analysis, when it is remembered that these are only one facet of the work
involved."
Legal Proceedings—Food.
Table 8 below gives details of legal proceedings taken under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938 :—
TABLE 8.—Legal Proceedings:Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
| Nature of Offence | Fine | Costs | Remarks | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piece of glass in Bun Food & Drugs Act, 1938. | £10 | 0 | 0 | £3 | 3 | 0 | - |
| Condition of premises where food is sold. Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 13 (1) (c), (d). (g), (h) & 13 (2) (b). | £34 | 0 | 0 | - | There were five summonses against defendants. All five were proved. Fines of £10 on each of three charges and £2 on each of two. | ||
| Selling Rolls spread with margarine as " Buttered Rolls." Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 3. | £5 | 0 | 0 | £5 | 5 | 0 | Three different cases. |
| £4 | 0 | 0 | £3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| £2 | 2 | 0 | £1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Food preparation and service rooms not kept in proper state of repair. Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 13 (3). | - | - | Summons withdrawn—work commenced. | ||||
| Selling Buns spread with margarine as "Buttered Buns." Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 3. | £4 | 0 | 0 | £3 | 3 | 0 | - |
| Selling Scones spread with margarine as "Buttered Scones." Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 3. | £4 | 0 | 0 | £4 | 4 | 0 | - |
| Selling Bread spread with margarine as " Bread & Butter." Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 3. | £5 | 0 | 0 | £5 | 5 | 0 | Two separate cases. |
| £5 | 0 | 0 | £4 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Selling Hot Milk with water added as " Hot Milk." Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 3. Food & Drugs (Milk, Dairies & Artificial Cream) Act, 1950, Sec. 9. | £4 | 0 | 0 | £4 | 4 | 0 | Two separate cases. |
| £5 | 0 | 0 | £5 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Failure to take reasonably necessary steps to prevent risk of contamination of food in a room by reason of cats and kittens. Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 13 (2) (b). | £10 | 0 | 0 | £2 | 2 | 0 | - |
| Exposing for sale Sausage and Egg Rolls unfit for human consumption. Food & Drugs Act, 1938, Sec. 9. | - | - | Case dismissed. | ||||
Unsound Food.
The total quantity of food surrendered as being unsound and unfit for human consumption was
approximately 23 tons, details of which are given on the following page :—