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

Dagenham 1941

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Dagenham]

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Table: Adulterated Samples

Adulterated Samples

No. of SampleArticle Examinedformal or InformalNature of AdulterationObservations
33lMilkFormal8% deficient in fatVendor cautioned.
123AFlaked RiceInformalContained 2% Quartz sandFormal sample satisfactory.
289 390VinegarFormal Contained only 3.3% of Acetic AcidVendor fined 20/-and costs 10/6.
Beef, MincedFormalContained 250 parts per million of Sulphur DioxideVendor cautioned.
415Parsley Thyme & Lemon StuffingFormalContained no , lemon flavouringManufacturers cautioned.
143 426Salad OilInformalContained 73% of mineral oilFormal sample taken No. 426.
Salad Oil -FormalContained 74% of mineral oilVendor fined £20 & costs £2/12/6 (paid by manufacturers).
431Liquid Egg SubstituteFormalA viscous liquid bearing no resemblance to liquid egg in respect of chemical compositionSummonses against vendor & supplier adjournedsince die, endeavouring to trace manufacturer.
431 135aMilk SubstituteFormalChemical composition bears no resemblance to dried milk powderManufacturers fined £20 and £10/10/0 costs.
Sugar SubstituteInformalExaggerated claim as to sweetening powerFormal sample taken No. 421.
421Sugar SubstituteFormaldo.Retailer fined 40/-. Manufacturers fined £10 & costs 10/6.
140aVinegarInformal22% deficient in strengthFormal sample taken No. 419.
419VinegarFormal18% deficient in strengthSummons against retailer dismissed.
152a 510Egg CustardInformalContained' no appreciable quantity of eggUnable to obtain formal sample.
Parsley Thyme & Lemon StuffingFormalContained no appreciable quantity of lemon or lemon flavouringManufacturers cautioned.
155aLemon SubstituteInformalContained no appreciable quantity of Vitamin CUnable to obtain formal sample.
432Egg Powder SubstituteFormalExaggerated stareCase dismissed on merit as to equi legal grounds.