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 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Hungarian deep frozen strawberries and vegetables began to arrive in
March and deep frozen fresh offals in April. All were in sound condition.
Unsound Food.
The following quantities of unsound foodstuffs were disposed of during the year under the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations, 1937-1948, and the Public Health (London) Act, 1936
| Tons | Cwts. | Qrs. | Lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wharves | 78 | 9 | 1 | 8 |
| London Fruit Exchange & Spitafields Market | 84 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| Bishopsgate Goods Station: ex Zeebrugge-Harwich Train Ferry | 4 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| non-Ferry Goods | 18 | I | 1 | |
| Other premises | 46 | 3 | 1 | 24 |
| Total: | 214 | 9 | 1 | 27 |
Approximately 66 tons of unsound food were allowed to be used for
animal feeding purposes, or for manufacturing purposes other.than for
human consumption, the remainder being delivered to, or collected by the
Public Cleansing Department at whose riverside depot it was mixed with
household refuse under the supervision of the Public Cleansing Officer
and removed by barge to a controlled tipping site in Essex.
Over 2,400 Condemnation Certificates in respect of unsound food were issued in 1957.
| Improvements effected at Food Establishments. | Number |
|---|---|
| Lavatory basins installed | 140 |
| Premises where hot and cold water supply installed | 203 |
| Premises where washing facilities for staff have been improved | 192 |
| Sinks provided | 48 |
| Food storage accommodation provided | 25 |
| Refrigerators installed or repaired | 12 |
| Premises where walls, ceilings, floors, windows cleansed. | 662 |
| Floors renewed or repaired | 44 |
| Shop-fronts improved | 6 |
| Premises where ventilation provided or improved | 34 |
| Premises where natural lighting improved | 12 |
| Protective covers provided for displayed food | 19 |
| Refuse bins provided | 54 |
| Miscellaneous | 946 |