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
Beckenham 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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A quantity of oatmeal deposited for the purpose of sale, was found
to be contaminated with mouse excreta. The Sanitary inspector formally
seized the oatmeal and secured its condemnation. The firm concerned
were subsequently fined £2 0s. 0d., and £2 2s. 0d. costs.
Olive oil, found to be adulterated with Arachis Oil resulted in the
Vendors being fined £15 0s. 0d., with £5 19s. 5d. costs.
Food and Drugs Sampling.
During 1948, 243 samples were purchased and submitted to the Public Analyst. Details are appended:—
| formal samples | informal samples | |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 135 | 17 |
| Beef Sausages | 2 | — |
| Sponge Mixture | — | 2 |
| Cake Flour | — | 2 |
| Apple Juice | — | 2 |
| Yorkshire Pudding Mixture | — | 2 |
| Bicarbonate of Soda | — | 1 |
| Savoree | — | 1 |
| Worcester Sauce | — | 1 |
| Coffee and Chicory Essence | 1 | 1 |
| Black Pepper | 1 | 1 |
| Orange Malt Wine | 1 | — |
| Lemon Squash | 1 | — |
| Grapefruit Squash | 1 | — |
| Mustard Sauce | — | 1 |
| Aspirin | — | 1 |
| Ice Cream | — | 41 |
| Horse Radish | 1 | 1 |
| Rennet | — | 1 |
| Butter | 3 | — |
| Margarine | 3 | — |
| Lard | 1 | — |
| Jam | 2 | — |
| Sago | 1 | — |
| Fish Paste | 1 | — |
| Malt Vinegar | 2 | — |
| Olive Oil | 3 | — |
| Ground Cinnamon | 1 | — |
| Mustard | 1 | — |
| Coffee Extract | 1 | — |
| Salad Cream | 1 | — |
| Raisin Flavoured Wine | 1 | — |
| Pepper (White) | 2 | — |
| Cordial | 1 | — |
| Ground Ginger | 1 | — |
| 168 | 75 |
A sample of Olive Oil found to be adulterated, and Beef Sausages
not conforming to legal standard resulted in the institution of legal
proceedings, to which reference has already been made.
The Sale of Milk Regulations, 1939, made under the Food and
Drugs Act, 1938, prescribe the following presumptive standards
" Where a sample of milk contains less than 3 per cent
of milk fat or less than 8.5 per cent, of milk solids other
than fat, it shall be presumed for the purposes of the Food and
44