London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Havering 1967
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Havering]
This page requires JavaScript
taken during the year and examined by our Public Analysts. The
description of one product formally sampled was found to be
misleading and the manufacturers were informed. This resulted
in the label being amended. Two informal samples also had
faulty labelling, but after approaching the manufacturers concerned
the labels were amended and no formal action was required.
Included in the above figures are 49 food complaints which
were referred to the Public Analysts. Eight prosecutions were
taken, details of which are included in the list below. 127 other
food complaints were dealt with without reference to the Public
Analysts. In eight of these legal proceedings were taken.
The 176 food complaints are summarised as follows:—
| Bread | 46 | Sauce | 2 |
| Milk/milk products | 20 | Biscuits | 2 |
| Flour confectionery | 12 | Butter | 2 |
| Fresh meat | 10 | Soft drinks | 2 |
| Meat pies | 8 | Rice | 2 |
| Tinned fruit | 7 | Ice lollies | 2 |
| Frozen foods | 5 | Tinned Fish | 1 |
| Bacon | 5 | Cooking oil | 1 |
| Fresh fruit | 4 | Ice Cream | 1 |
| Cheese | 4 | Coffee | 1 |
| Baby food | 4 | Pickles | 1 |
| Offal | 4 | Margarine | 1 |
| Vegetables | 4 | Dripping | 1 |
| Tinned meat | 3 | Sugar confectionery | 1 |
| Fish | 3 | Jam | 1 |
| Tea | 3 | Mushrooms | 1 |
| Sausages | 3 | Ground Almonds | 1 |
| Chicken | 2 | Black pudding | 1 |
| Cereal | 2 | Dental fixative powder | 1 |
| Tinned Vegetables | 2 |
The sixteen cases in which legal proceedings were taken are as follows:—
| Complaint | Results of Proceedings |
|---|---|
| Metal in bread | Fine £20. Costs £10.10.0. |
| Nail in lemonade | Case dismissed |
| Decomposing chicken | Fine £25. Costs £10.10.0. |