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
Kingston upon Thames 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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During the year, on a number of occasions, the attention
of manufacturers and "bakers was drawn to the unsatisfactory
condition of delivery vehicles.
The Sanitary Inspectors spent much time during the
year on education in food hygiene by constant visits to food
premises and by advice and discussion with the management and
employees.
In accordance with the request of the Minister of Health the following is a tabulated statement of inspections made during the year to the various types of food premises.
| food Premises | No. of Premises | No. of Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Bakehouse | 8 | 64 |
| Dairies & Milk Shops | 12 | 124 |
| Butchers | 38 | 110 |
| Greengrocers & Stalls | 89 | 400 |
| Publis houses | 51 | 20 |
| Fishmonger & Stalls | 26 | 79 |
| Ice Cream Premises | 129 | 161 |
| Grocers & General Provisions | 130 | 193 |
| Restaurants & Cafes | 104 | 364 |
| Meat Distribution Depot | 1 | 227 |
| Visits to Food Premises re Condemnation of Unsound Food | 382 | |
| 588 | 2124 |
FOOD AM) DRUGS ACT, 1938.
Details of samples submitted to the Public Analyst
during the year are given in the tabulated statement.
The following are the results of action taken in
respect of five samples upon which an adverse report was
received.
A bread roll submitted for examination was found to
contain a mouse droppings The Local Authority in whose area
the roll was manufactured were informed and a warning letter
was sent to the firm concerned,,
The informal sample of ice cream was reported to
contain 4% of fat; the amount prescribed by regulation is 5%
A subsequent follow-up sample was taken and found to be
genuine.
The Analyst reported that the sample of table jelly
failed to pass the setting teste This sample was taken from
a children s home, It was subsequently ascertained that the
jellies were part of a consignment which had been presented
to the Home, probably because they did not comply with the
Order, Whilst the jellies failed to pass the required test,
they were, in fact, quite wholesome.
Of the fifty-seven samples of milk submitted, an
adverse report was received in only one Instance. This was an
informal sample which was stated to contain 2%of added water.
A subsequent follow-up sample, however, proved to be genuine.
As the milk came from a fairly large dairy, situate outside
the Borough it was thought that the matter justified further
enquiry. a thorough investigation was carried out and tests
made® it was ascertained that the adulteration took place in
such circumstances as to affect a small quantity of milk only
and was due to the action of an operative in charge of the
neat treatment plant, Precautions have been taken to prevent
a repetition of this occurrences