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
Stepney 1905
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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The quantities being small, no action was taken.
One sample of Milk was examined unofficially. It was found to be
genuine and of good quality.
The total fines secured during the year amounted to £137 11s. 1d.
The total costs allowed amounted to £71 9s.
The average fine secured on the prosecutions was £1 16s.
In addition, proceedings were taken against 6 Milkvendors for obstructing
the Sanitary Inspectors in the execution of their duties.
Fines were inflicted amounting to £18, and £6 18s. costs.
Compared with the previous years the adulterations were as follows:—
| Year | Number examined. | Number adulterated. | Number of prosecutions. | Per cent, of adulteration. | Per cent, of prosecutions. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | 693 | 107 | 66 | 15.4 | 9.5 |
| 1902 | 1187 | 260 | 118 | 21.9 | 9.9 |
| 1903 | 1171 | 214 | 88 | 18.3 | 7.5 |
| 1904 | 1191 | 190 | 58 | 15.9 | 4.9 |
| 1905 | 1176 | 187 | 76 | 15.9 | 6.4 |
Formalin was detected in 7 samples of milk, and Boracic acid in 9. The
quantity ranged from 5 to 20 grains per gallon of milk. No action was taken
by the committee beyond cautioning the vendors.
Boracic acid was detected in two samples of butter, to the amount of 45
and 60 grains per lb. The vendor of the latter was fined £3 and 23s. costs.
Though the Royal Commission on Food Preservatives issued their report
in 1901, no action has been taken by the Legislature to promote a bill on the
lines indicated in that report.
The Commission recommended that the use of formalin in foods or drinks
be absolutely prohibited, and that any preservative or colouring matter in milk
offered for sale, be constituted an offence under the Sale of Food and Drugs
Acts. That the only preservative permitted to be used in butter and margarine
be boric acid or a mixture of boric acid and borax, to be used in proportions
not exceding 5 per cent, expressed as boric acid.