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

Shoreditch 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Shoreditch]

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38.
FOOD ADMINISTRATION (contd.)
Complaints of foreign bodies in food.

Table: 10 complaints were made to the Department during the year and hereunder are details of the result of investigations made:-

10 complaints were made to the Department during the year and hereunder are details of the result of investigations made:-

Complaint.Action taken.
Piece of wire in sliced loaf of bread. Piece of twine in scone.Representative of bakery company interviewed. A thorough investigation carried out at the bakery, -which is modern and of a high hygienic standard, failed to trace the origin of the piece of wire. Warning letter was sent to the bakers. On investigation was found to be piece of twine used by millers to sew up mouth of sack of flour when full. Bakery is clean and well maintained. Warning given.
Piece of wood in piccalilli.Appeared to be piece of wood split off inside of cask which contained mustard liquor. Bottling premises inspected by C.P.H.I. of area in which situated, and found to be clean and well conducted by working proprietor. Warning given.
Piece of metal in bread roll.Bakehouse inspected and found in good hygienic condition. Baker stated that roll making machine had recently been repaired by welding and he attributed piece of metal found to be a piece of such -welding. Warning letter was sent.
Cigarette end in chips.Warning letter was sent to shopkeeper but no further action was possible as there was no definite proof that the cigarette aid was in the chips at the time of sale.
Spearmint wrapper in Madeira Cake.Cake was made at bakery outside London and investigation was passed to C.P.H.I. for that area. He reported that it was a large well conducted bakery, but that builders and electricians had recently been working on new plant, and had been cautioned several times about dropping litter.
Filter tip from cigarette baked in bread roll.Baker denied that roll was of his manufacture, and although complainant asserts that it was purchased at his shop, she is unwilling to appear in court as witness.