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

Barking 1958

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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accordance with the provisions of Section 39 and 45 of the Public
Health Act, 1936, and the cost charged to the owners of the properties.
FOOD SUPPLIES
In order that the bacteriological and chemical condition of foodstuffs
may be assessed, sampling is a continuous process. It is also
necessary to ensure that the food supplied to the purchaser is of the
nature, or substance, or quality demanded.
For chemical examination samples are submitted to Dr. J.
Hamence of Peek House, Eastcheap.
The Public Health Services Laboratory at County Hall, Westminster,
examines our samples bacteriologically whilst the Counties
Public Health Laboratory assists with examination of samples included
in the Essex County Council joint scheme, viz. water and
special groups of cooked meat products.
New methods of food preservation are providing new public
health problems and future methods using irradiation for sterilisation
and preservation will call for close attention.

Table: FOOD AMPLES REPORTED NOT TO BE GENUINE

FOOD AMPLES REPORTED NOT TO BE GENUINE

Sample No.FoodAdulteration or Labelling OffenceAction Taken
4268Pork SausageContained Sulphur Dioxide 700 parts per million.Warning letter to manufacturer.
4269Beef SausageContained Sulphur Dioxide 600 parts per million.Warning letter to manufacturer.
4271HamburgerContained Sulphur Dioxide 630 parts per million.Warning letter to manufacturer.
4289/96ApplesThree out of eight samples contained excessive arsenic and lead contamination.Ministry of Food advised of these unsatisfactory conditions.
4331Blackcurrant SyrupThe sample was poor in its content of Fruit Juice.Check sample satisfactory.
4363Pork Sausage56% meat content. In the Analyst's opinion pork sausage should contain 65% meat content.Manufacturer advised. Check sample satisfactory.

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