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
Harrow 1950
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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were inspected and with the exception of three sets of lungs and one liver
were found fit for human consumption.
(C) OTHER FOODS
During the year 3,373 visits were made to food shops and other
premises at which food was prepared or stored. They showed that
shopkeepers and their employees are becoming more aware of the public
demand for cleanliness in the handling of food and in most of the food
premises very satisfactory conditions were found.
Only in comparatively few cases was it necessary to use the powers
given to the Council by the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, and much of the
improvement work carried out during the year followed suggestions put
forward by the Sanitary Inspector. There were only two cases where
failure to maintain a satisfactory standard of cleanliness necessitated
Court action being taken; in respect of these fines totalling £42 were
imposed. One of the premises involved was a bakehouse; the business
was later trar sferred to other premises.
The following is a summary of the food examined and found to be unfit for human consumption. It was either destroyed locally or dealt with by the Salvage Section of the Ministry of Food.
| lbs. | |
|---|---|
| Meat and Meat Products | 3,127 |
| Vegetables, Soups and Pickles | 2,289 |
| Groceries and Miscellaneous | 3,346 |
| Fish | 2,078 |
| Fruit | 1,786 |
| Total | 12,626 |
The total weight of food found unfit during the year was a little over
5½ tons, a reduction of three tons on the quantity found unfit during 1949.
Ice Cream.
During the year the number of persons manufacturing ice cream
increased from 11 to 12. Over the same period 43 additional premises
were registered for the retailing of ice cream, making a total of 287. Most
of these new registrations were of grocery shops where, as at greengrocers
and many other shops, frosted foods in wrapped cartons are sold.
During the year 517 visits were made to premises where ice cream
was manufactured or retailed, and the premises of the manufacturers
received special attention. Without exception these traders co-operated
with the Department in the efforts made to ensure ice cream being manufactured
under satisfactory conditions. 126 samples were taken; 74
were Grades 1 or 2 and the remainder Grades 3 or 4. In the case of
Grade 3 or 1 reports, investigations were made and, if possible, the cause
found. In the event of the sample involving supplies coming into the
district from outside, the local authorities concerned were advised. In
all such cases follow-up samples were taken.
Registration of Hawkers.
The number of street traders registered under the Middlesex County