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 1966
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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those responsible being drawn to the matter in default, action was taken
to deal with the infringement. With one exception, the other adverse
reports were in respect of minor deficiencies and were dealt with by way
of warning letters. The exception concerned a case where rolls being
retailed as buttered rolls were found to contain margarine. Summary
proceedings were taken in this case and a fine of £10, plus costs, was
imposed.
Reference was made in the Annual Report for 1965 to samples being
tested by the department. During 1966, 188 samples of milk and 40
samples of other commodities were dealt with in this way. It has the
advantage of saving both time and money in that, only in the event of an
adverse or doubtful result being obtained, was it necessary to submit
samples for examination by the Public Analyst.
The following is a summary of the results of the samples submitted to Mr. Eric Voelcker, A.R.C.S., F.R.I.C.:—
| Taken | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | Informal | Formal | |
| Drugs 26 | 25 | 1 | 24 | 1 | 1 | |
| 383 | 14 | 364 | 11 | 19 | 3 | |
Complaints
During the year 90 complaints were received about the condition of
foodstuff or about the presence of foreign matter. All were investigated
and taken up with either the manufacturers, the wholesalers or whoever
was responsible.
Seven of the cases resulted in action being taken in the Courts, two
were in respect of glass in milk, two were about cigarette ends in loaves of
bread, one was about mouldy sausages, another was about mould in a
pork pie and the seventh case concerned a finger dressing in a bread roll. In
each case a fine was imposed and costs were allowed.
The Liquid Egg (Pasteurisation) Regulations, 1963
Ministry of Health circular 1 /67 refers to these regulations.
There are no egg pasteurisation plants in use in the Borough, but
liquid egg is used at a number of establishments.
Eight samples were taken during the year of supplies coming into the
district and all were satisfactory. The countries of origin of the eggs
sampled being Australia, South Africa, China and the United Kingdom.
Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960
Reference is made earlier in this Report to the total number of shops
in the district and the number in the various categories. Almost without
exception, food premises in each group comply with Regulation 16 and
Regulation 19 of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations of 1960.