Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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A summary of the results is given in the following table:
Food | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Total samples |
---|---|---|---|
Sea foods | 204 | 7 | 211 |
Fish | 7 | — | 7 |
Canned meats | 48 | — | 48 |
Raw meat | 1 | — | 1 |
Milk powder | 1 | — | 1 |
Other foods (including meal specimens) | 15 | — | 15 |
Milk bottles | 44 | — | 44 |
Totals | 320 | 7 | 327 |
FOOD COMPLAINTS
Food articles purchased by members of the public were the subject of 139
complaints received by the Health Department and all were thoroughly investigated.
Twenty-two of the articles were submitted to the Public Analyst for his opinion.
Complaints of particular interest included such articles as a biscuit containing
a human hair 5½ inches long, yoghurt containing iron oxide, jars of cream containing
glass, a currant bun with an imbedded bandage, a sponge cake containing a cigarette
end and a cake fouled by bird droppings. Full or empty bottles of milk were found to
contain mould, sand and cement, and traces of animal hairs. In all cases there was
evidence that the bottles had passed through the normal bottle washing process from
which it was concluded that the foreign bodies were present in the bottles at the time
of filling at the dairy premises. There were a number of cases where bread was found
to contain grease, mould, rubber, a nail and a cigarette end.
Prosecutions were taken in 30 cases, of which 28 were successful, fines ranging
from £20 to £3 being imposed, and totalling £269. 10s. Od. with £176. 10s. Od. costs to
the Council.
PESTICIDES SURVEY
During the year, the Council agreed to participate in a systematic survey to
detect traces of pesticides in common foods. A number of local authorities are taking
part in the scheme, which has been prepared by the Association of Public Analysts in
consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
The sale and use of pesticides in this country is controlled by a Government
voluntary scheme but this, of course, only covers home produced food. The control of
pesticides in countries from which food is imported varies considerably.
This survey will make it possible for an assessment to be made of the present
extent of pesticides on a variety of foods and could be of considerable assistance in
deciding the need for any further action.
The number and type of food samples to be taken by each food and drugs
authority participating in the scheme was agreed in advance. In this Borough a total of
six samples was purchased before the end of the year. The food articles concerned were
specified types of tomatoes, apples, potatoes, currants, white bread and rice. All
samples were examined for traces of D.D.T., other organo-chlorine and organo-phosphorus
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