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
East Ham 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for East Ham]
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(d) Other Foods
A great variety of foodstuffs was examined during the year as the following table of food certified as unfit for human consumption shows
| Tinned fruit | 1184 | tins |
| " milk | " | |
| " meat | " | |
| " fish | " + | |
| " other goods | 1257 | " |
| Total | 6476 | " |
including large consignments of tinned salmon released from government stores for use in manufactured fish products.
| Fish | 434 lbs. |
| Meat | 2545 " |
| Confectionery | 15 " |
| Biscuits | 50 " |
| Cheese | 27 " |
| Suet | 18 " |
| Potatoes | 3360 " |
| Total |
Eggs 14½ dozen
popcorn 1376 packets
Pea steeping tablets 12,000
Food & Drugs Sampling
During the year 322 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst. Details as follows
| Number of Samples | Percentage of samples adulterated | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Examined | Found adulterated or below standard | ||
| Butter | 3 | - | - |
| Margarine | 7 | - | - |
| Lard & cooking fat | 7 | — | - |
| Cheese | 2 | - | — |
| Confectionery | 11 | - | - |
| Jam | - | - | |
| Milk | 88 | - | |
| Sausage | 5 | ||
| Vinegar | - | - | |
| Wines & Spirits | 27 | — | - |
| Drugs | 22 | - | - |
| Other articles | 103 | 3 | 3 |
| Totals | 322 | 5 | - |
Included in "other articles" are three samples submitted to this
Department by members of the public, as follows :-
7339s Suspected rodent excreta in bread
7524: Suspected rodent excreta in bread (was discoloured dough)
7562s Foreign body (part of Insect) in bread.