London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Stepney 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
This page requires JavaScript
County Council promoted legislation defining a refreshment house as anybuilding
in which food or drink is sold to, and consumed by, the public.
This definition was included in Section 25 of the London County Council
(General Powers) Act, 1962.
During the year the Council adopted a set of standards for sanitary
conveniences to be applied in connection with the provisions of the Act.
The provision of washing facilities was originally included in the
1959 Bill but was deleted during its passage through Parliament. This
Council supported the views of the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint
Committee that the County Council should be asked to make a further
approach to Parliament on the matter.
Sausages (Meat Content)
Analysis of 19 samples of pork sausages and 4 samples of beef
sausages showed the average meat content to be 69.5 per cent, and 64.75
per cent, respectively. Two formal samples of pork sausages taken were
found to be deficient in meat and the vendors were cautioned.
Unsound Food
The following quantities of unsound foodstuffs were disposed of during the year under the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations, 1937-48, and the Public Health (London) Act, 1936:-
| Tons | cwts. | |
|---|---|---|
| Wharves | 110 | 7 |
| London Fruit Exchange and Spitalfields Market | 99 | 9 |
| Bishopsgate Goods Station | - | 11 |
| do, (Train Ferry) | - | 17 |
| Other Premises | 70 | 16 |
| Total: | 282 tons | 0 cwts. |
Approximately 96 tons of unsound food was allowed to be used for
chemical or animal feeding piu'poses, 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.
Approximately 2,250 condemnation certificates in respect of unsound
food were issued in 1962.
43