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 1966

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Barking]

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Milk
All milk which is distributed in the area is produced and bottled outside the
borough. The number of registered distributors is 79 operating from 116 premises.
147 visits were paid to dairies and distributors' premises.

Table: The following samples were submitted for bacteriological examination during the ye&r:-

The following samples were submitted for bacteriological examination during the ye&r:-

Designation of MilkTotal Samples SubmittedMethylene Blue TestPhosphatase TestTurbidity Test
SatisfactoryUnsatisfactorySatisfactoryUnsatisfactorySatisfactoryUnsatisfactory
Pasteurised76742* - void74---
Sterilised26----26-
Channel Island Pasteurised1111-11---

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•These two samples were rendered 'void' because the shade temperature at
the time exceeded the permissible maximum of 65°F.
Three samples of pasteurised milk included above were taken from milk vendin,
machines.
Ice Cream
The total number of registered premises selling ice cream is 237• Of this
two are registered for the manufacture of ice cream. 213 visits were paid to
these premises. During the year, two applications for the storage and sale of
ice cream were granted. 56 inspections in connection with itinerant vendors were
carried out.

Table: During the year 137 samples of ice cream were submitted for bacteriological examination; they were graded as follows:-

During the year 137 samples of ice cream were submitted for bacteriological examination; they were graded as follows:-

Grade IGrade IIGrade IIIGrade IVTotal
Wrapped Ice Cream3728148
Loose Ice Cream3965252
Soft Ice Cream19132337

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In addition to ice cream, 25 lollies were submitted for examination. All
were satisfactory.
We still get some Qrade IV results but as has been previously explained the
tests used are admitted to have many shortcomings, and results, in addition to
naturally being influenced by the presence of bacteria, are also affected by sonw
ingredients, flavourings, etc., so an overall assessment has to be made which is
not always a very easy task, particularly as the majority are obtained from
itinerant vendors operating from outside the borough.
Pnsound Food
The odd cases of food not of the "nature, substance and quality" demanded
are still being received, but when one realises the tremendous increase in food
packaging that has taken place these last few years and that food is now bought
virtually "on trust", I feel the overall standard is a satisfactory reflection
on the efforts of the manufacturers to provide foodstuffs in the manner required
by the present-day populace.
72