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
Bromley 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Bromley]
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| Nature of Unsatisfactory Sample | Remarks | |
|---|---|---|
| (m) | Serial No. 4970 Bay Leaves Composition: Contained a living earwig which had eaten to some degree 15 of the leaves in the packet. | Investigated. Source of infestation not positively identified. Packers notified. |
| (m) | Serial No. 4928 Curry Sauce Composition: The ingredients were not listed in order of the amounts present in the article as is required by the Labelling of Food Order 1953 or the Labelling of Food Regulations 1970. | Correspondence with manufacturer in progress. |
| (w) | Serial No. 4922 | Investigated. Source of insect not identified. No further action. |
A total of 12 tons 19 cwts. of food unfit for human consumption was surrendered to Public Health Inspectors during the year. Details of the various items are given below: —
| Tons | Cwts. | lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meat and Offal at Slaughterhouse | — | 5 | 85 |
| Meat and Offal at Wholesale and Retail Premises | 1 | 10 | — |
| Tinned Meat and Meat Products | — | 6 | 70 |
| Tinned Fruit | 1 | — | 65 |
| Tinned Vegetables | — | 3 | 28 |
| Fresh Fruit and Vegetables | — | 13 | 56 |
| Frozen Foods | 6 | 10 | 5 |
| Preserves | — | 1 | 37 |
| Fish (Fresh and Canned) | — | 18 | — |
| Other Foods | 1 | 10 | — |
The large quantity of frozen food dealt with arose mainly
from the breakdown or malfunction of refrigerated display cabinets
and cold stores in shop premises. Once thawing has occurred,
frozen foods should not be re-frozen, and unless it can be
used immediately (which is seldom practical), it must be regarded
as unsaleable. Manufacturers and distributors of frozen foods are
very aware of the advisability of immediately withdrawing
"thawed out" food from sale. They advise retailers accordingly
and offer replacement, upon the production of the Health
Inspector's surrender certificates.