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 1967
[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 dairies is three and the number of
distributors is 83 operating from 140 premises. There are also four vending
machines. 119 visits were paid to dairies and distributors' premises.
The following samples were submitted for bacteriological examination during the year:-
| Designation of Milk | Total Samples Submitted | Methylene Blue Test | Phosphatase Test | Turbidity Test | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | ||
| Pasteurised | 39 | 39 | – | 39 | – | - | - |
| Sterilised | 15 | - | - | - | - | 15 | - |
Three samples of pasteurised milk included above were taken from milk
vending machines.
Ice Cream
The total number of registered premises selling ice cream is 147. Of this
number two are registered for the manufacture of ice cream. 437 visits were paid
to these premises. During the year, 68 applications for the storage and sale of
ice cream were granted. 57 inspections in connection with delivery vehicles were
carried out.
During the year 102 samples of ice cream were submitted for bacteriological examination; they were graded as follows:-
| Grade I | Grade II | Grade III | Grade IV | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrapped Ice Cream | 33 | 6 | 1 | - | 40 |
| Loose Ice Cream | 27 | 9 | 4 | 3 | 43 |
| Soft Ice Cream | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 19 |
In addition to ice cream, 23 lollies were submitted for examination. All
were satisfactory.
The fact that ice cream is occasionally graded IV does not mean it is unfit;
this result i6 a guide that the method of handling and manufacture may be suspect.
On the other hand, these poor gradings are often the result of the colouring
matter or chocolate in or around the ice cream. It is accepted that the method
used to arrive at these gradings is suspect and misleading, but it is the best
we know of at the present time.
Unsound Food
The year has passed without any major change. The days when food was
diseased or knowingly adulterated have, for all practical purposes, passed and
progress has brought us to this machine-age. In addition to products being
untouched by hand, they are often unseen by eye until they appear on your plate,
cooked and ready to eat, the meal having been safeguarded and conditioned both
naturally and artificially. No wonder we sometimes feel that food has lost its
flavour; this, however, is part of the price we have to pay.
During the year, the Committee considered 34 complaints concerning food.
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