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
Ealing 1968
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ealing]
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SURRENDER OF UNSOUND MEAT AND OTHER FOODS (EXCLUDING MEAT AT SLAUGHTERHOUSE)
The following foodstuffs were condemned by the public health inspectors as unfit for human consumption and were surrendered for destruction
| libs | |
|---|---|
| Meat and meat products | 1,884 |
| Fish and fish products | 382 |
| Fruit and vegetables | 1,157 |
| Groceries | 1,107 |
| Foodstuffs not calculated by weight Assorted tins, packets, jars, bottles, articles, casks and boxes | 44,437 |
REGISTRATION OF HAWKERS OF FOOD AND THEIR FOOD PREMISES
In accordance with the requirements of Section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950, 4
hawkers were registered during the year leaving a total of such traders on the register at the end of
the year at 44.
PREMISES REGISTERED FOR PREPARATION OF SAUSAGES AND PRESERVED FOODS
Two premises were registered in accordance with Section 16 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955,
during the year, at the end of which there were 180 premises on the Council's register.
SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS - CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Food and drugs samples are examined by the Council's Public Analyst, Mr. W. B. Chapman, B. Sc. ,
F. R. I. C. and his deputy Mr. E. H. W. J. Burden, B. Sc. , F. R. I C. They are both officers of the
Scientific Branch of the Greater London Council, and an annual block payment is made by the
borough to cover these services. The analytical work is carried out in laboratories which are
staffed and equipped to undertake a wide variety of investigations. Apart from food and drugs
these include water pollution and sewage treatment, sampling of water from swimming pools, air
pollution, ventilation, noise and vibration, fire precautions, petroleum, fertilisers and feeding
stuffs, radiochemistry and general supplies and services.
Some years ago the Ministry of Health recommended that the level of food and drugs sampling
should be approximately three samples per 1,000 population per annum. During the year, exactly
800 samples comprising 17 formal and 783 informal samples of food and drugs were taken and
submitted to the Public Analyst for examination, which is in accordance with the Ministry
recommendation.
Of the 800 samples examined, 43 were found to be unsatisfactory. There were several cases
which are worthy of mention, where compositional standards and other similar requirements were below
the specified minima. Sampling of dried milk revealed one product containing 7. 4% of moisture
which is in excess of the 5% permitted by the Dried Milk Regulations, 1965. Legal proceedings
were taken and a fine of £30 imposed and costs of £3. 3s. Od. were awarded to the Council. Informal sampling
67.