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
Wimbledon 1962
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Wimbledon]
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The number of inspections of registered food premises during
1962 was 207.
unsound food.
Following the closing down of the Corporation's refuse disposal works
at the end of 1955, arrangements were made with Merton and Morden U.D.C.
for the reception of unsound food surrendered to the Health Department.
This system is still operating satisfactorily.
The following is a list of unsound food surrendered during 1962.
| Cwts. | Qrs. | lbs. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned soups | 1 | 10 | |
| Canned meat | 5 | 15 | |
| Canned fish | - | — | 4 |
| Canned vegetables | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Canned fruit | - | 3 | 3 |
| Meat, bacon, poultry etc. | 7 | 4 | |
| Fish | - | 2 | 11 |
| Cheese | — | - | 1 |
| Jam | — | — | 16 |
| Cereals | — | — | 1 |
| Sauce & Pickles | — | 3 | 2 |
| Frozen food | 6 | — | 22 |
| Vegetables | 2 | - | - |
| Fruit Juices | - | - | 6 |
| Vegetable juices | 19 | - | 9 |
| 47 cwts. | 3 qrs. | 3 lbs |
The number of complaints received during the year regarding unsound
food was 121. These included references to extraneous matter in food and
a detailed investigation was made in each case. Informal action was taken
in the majority of cases, but in three instances it was necessary to
institute legal proceedings. Particulars of these proceedings are
referred to later in this report.
The complaints of extraneous matter in food included the following:-
Wood in jar of marmalade.
Metal in can of vegetable and beef broth.
Metal in packet of cornflakes.
Cyst in kidney.
Fly in piece of cheese.
* Metal in mince pie.
Foreign matter in loaf of bread.
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