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
Woolwich 1936
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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where stannous chloride is added to fix the natural colour of the brown
"Denierara" type of sugar, which would otherwise be removed in the refining.
The finished brown sugar should not, of course, contain tin, and it is probable
that the crude, dark sugar analysed was obtained by evaporating the mother
liquor containing the stannous chloride, etc., from which the brown sugar had
been previously crystallised and separated.
A sample of Orange Squash contained an excessive amount of bright red
coal-tar dye—presumably added to suggest that the 'Squash' was made
from blood oranges. Pure orange squash is only slightly deeper in colour
than lemon squash, and after the dye had been extracted from this sample
by wool, the squash returned to its natural colour. There was no evidence,
however, that the dye was injurious to health, and in the absence of any legal
standard for such drinks, no further action was taken."
Adulterated Samples—Action Taken.—The following Table, No. 31,
shows the number of adulterated samples and the action taken in each instance
where the sample was formal:—
TABLE No. 31.
| Sample No. | Article. | Formal or Informal. | Result of Analysis. | Result of Legal Proceedings or other Action. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 465 | Cream Cheese | Informal | Contained only 49.0 per cent. of milk fat. Prepared from whole milk but not from cream. | — |
| 466 | Cream Cheese | Informal | Contained only 51.4 per cent. of milk fat. Prepared from whole milk but not from cream. | – |
| 509 | Cream of Magnesia | Informal | 16 per cent. deficient in magnesium hydroxide. | — |
| 527 | Prunes, canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.59 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |
| 532 | Milk | Informal | 10 per cent. of the fat abstracted. | — |
| 549 | Prunes, canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.38 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |
| 550 | Prunes. canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.24 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |
| 551 | Prunes, canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.52 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |
| 552 | Prunes, canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.38 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |
| 570 | Prunes, canned | Informal | Contained tin, 2.24 grains per lb. | Stock surrendered and destroyed. |