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
Barnet 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barnet]
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Birmingham, etc., may be completely inadequate and it is not unreasonable to expect that a postal
district be given. The abbreviation of or the omission of the word "registered" is similarly not
acceptable. The Labelling of Food Regulations 1967 which, comes into operation in January 1971,
however, make no provision for the use of a "registered trade mark" as an alternative for the name
and address of the packer or labeller of the food.
A total of 674 visits were made to premises concerning the Labelling of Food Order and 3121
labels examined in order to check the correctness of their claims.
The Merchandise Marks Acts prohibit false or misleading written trade descriptions. During the year 476 premises were visited and the following articles of food examined for possible offences under the Acts:—
| Apples | 389 |
| Bacon | 205 |
| Butter | 349 |
| Currants etc. | 86 |
| Honey | 10 |
| Malt products | 18 |
| Margarine | 317 |
| Meat | 248 |
| Poultry | 140 |
| Raw cucumber | 295 |
| Salmon and trout | 16 |
| Tomatoes | 425 |
Prepacked potatoes are now becoming more popular with the housewife. A number of different
packs were examined during the year and in three instances the packers were informed of omissions
in the labelling of the packs.
The most frequent offences were the failing of greengrocers to label with the country of origin
displays of apples, tomatoes and cucumbers. These omissions are pointed out when observed to the
manager or proprietor of the shop and a letter sent if subsequent failures to label are noted.
Legal Proceedings
| DATE | OFFENCE | FINE |
|---|---|---|
| 27. 2.67 | Sale of unsound radishes | £10 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 27. 2.67 | Sale of cakes affected with mould | £20 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 27. 2.67 | Sale of cakes affected with mould | £20 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 12. 4.67 | Sale of milk in bottle containing glass splinter | £5 £3.3s.0d. costs |
| 24. 4.67 | Sale of milk in dirty bottle | £5 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 24. 4.67 | Sale of milk in dirty bottle | £5 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 24. 4.67 | Sale of milk in bottle containing piece of paper | £5 £5.5s.0d. costs |
| 26. 4.67 | Sale of milk in dirty bottle | £5 £5.5s.0d. costs |