London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Barking 1954
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]
This page requires JavaScript
SAMPLING
(a) Chemical Examination
Eleven samples were submitted for chemical examination. Summary of the analysis is given below:—
| Samples submitted | FAT ANALYSIS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 2.5% | 2.5%-5% | 5%-8.5% | 8.5%-10 % | Over 10% | |
| 11 | - | - | 1 | 4 | 6 |
(b) Cleanliness Examination and Keeping Quality
The standard of measurement employed was the Methylene Blue
Reduction Test.
Of the 40 samples submitted 34 were placed in Grades I and II
and 6 were in Grades III and IV. Samples in these latter grades were
treated as being unsatisfactory and checks were made at the production
and retail premises.
ICED LOLLIES
A local manufacturer experienced difficulty in keeping below the
permitted standard of lead content, viz. 1 part per million in certain
types of iced lollies. The difficult types were chocolate and pineapple.
There was a careful analysis made of raw materials and washings
from equipment.
The cause was found to arise from the solder used in the manufacture
of the moulds notwithstanding their guarantee to be free from
lead.
In this investigation there was very satisfactory co-operation with
the trade and the public analyst.
On pages 78 and 79 will be found details of the samples submitted
to the Public Analyst during 1954. These comprised seven formal
and 197 informal samples, making a total of 204.
SAMPLING—PROSECUTIONS
In the following instances proceedings were instituted, the results
being as indicated:—
Misleading Label
The defendant pleaded guilty of selling sweets incorrectly labelled
"Butter Mixture". A fine of £5 was imposed.
Page 77