London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hendon 1963

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hendon]

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NEW PREMISES
An arrangement exists whereby all plans deposited with the Borough Engineer and Surveyor for
new food premises or for alterations to existing premises are passed to the Chief Public Health Inspector
for his observations in connection with the enactments which will apply when the premises become occupied.
This co-operation has resulted in many improvements in design, lay-out and equipment being
incorporated in the work, so raising the general standard of hygiene at the premises and avoiding the possible
necessity of the Public Health Inspector having to ask for additional works or the provision of additional
equipment etc. when the premises have come into use and subject to the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations.
The arrangement is welcomed by the shop keepers and their Architects, the Public Health Inspectors
as a result of their experience in dealing with the different types of food premises, often being in a position to
make recommendations which not only improve the standard of hygiene but also give better working
conditions at the premises.

COMPLAINTS OF FOREIGN MATTER IN FOOD

Thirteen complaints were made to the Department during the year and below are details of the action taken

ComplaintAction taken
Selling loaf containing small piece of spongeInvestigation showed that a sponge had been used in washing down the walls of the bakehouse and that a small fragment had broken off and entered the bread. In view of the previous good record of the baker a warning letter only was sent.
Selling a fish cake containing a fish parasiteThe parasite inhabits the flesh of round fish and it would have been extremely difficult for the manufacturers to detect its presence. It is harmless to man. In the circumstances the case was dealt with by a warning letter to the manufacturers.
Selling milk containing vegetable matterParticles of vegetable debris were found in the cream layer of a bottle of school milk. The bottle was rather loosely capped and the possibility of it having been tampered with at the school could not be excluded. In the circumstances the matter was dealt with by the sending of a warning letter to the Dairy Company.
Selling malt loaf containing small stoneThe stone was of a kind not uncommonly found in consignments of dried fruit. In view of the recent good record of the bakers the matter was dealt with by the sending of a warning letter.
Selling sweets which were shop soiledHalf a pound of wrapped sweets were sold but one or two had become detached from their wrappings and one of these was soiled. No previous complaints had been received regarding the retailer and as he undertook a more rigid inspection of the sweets on sale the matter was dealt with by the issue of a warning letter.
Selling bottle of milk containing spots of machine oil and /or greaseLegal proceedings were instituted against the distributors of the milk who were fined £10 and the Council awarded £5. 5. 0 costs.
Selling loaf of bread containing discoloured doughThe fragment of dough, which was small, was reported by the Analyst to contain vegetable oil. Although aesthetically unpleasant the dough was harmless. As the bakers had a previous good record the matter was dealt with by the sending of a warning letter.