London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hillingdon 1971

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]

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Food Complaints
Following a reduction in 1970 the number of food complaints resumed its upward trend
during the year, being 192 as against 175 for 1970, 181 for 1969, 155 for 1968 and 114 for 1967.
The complaints received are classified in the following tables:

The complaints received are classified in the following tables:

FoodForeign matterMouldOtherType of foreign body
Milk433Metal spring; dirty bottles
Butter11
Cheese252Glass; fly
Bread13214Mice droppings; wasp; maggot; grease dough; deposits; beetle
Bacon11Maggots
Canned meat44
Cooked meat and meat products3920Nylon thread; bristle; fly
Meat pies11Insect
Fruit canned112Insect
Fish68Worms; fly; matchstick
Vegetables233Snail; plant cells
Cereals31Wood lice; rodent droppings; insect
Confectionery744Beetle; staple; mosquito; hair; spider
Other foods13615Rubber tube; ants; staples; rubber bands; maggots; flies; tin; nails; glass; dirt; grit
Total565779

Total: 192 food complaints.

Details of six prosecutions taken as a result of food complaints are set out in the following table. Further prosecutions are awaiting court hearings at the time of writing the report.

OffenceStatuteTrade of DefendantFineCostsTotal
1. Use of a dirty milk bottleMilk and Dairies (General) Regulations, 1959, Regulation 27Wholesale Dairyman£20£9£29
2. Use of a dirty milk bottledo.do.£25£7£32
3. Foreign matter in milkSection 2, Food and Drugs Act, 1955do.£10£5£15
4. Foreign matter in milkdo.do.£50£10£60
5. Selling mouldy cakedo.Grocer£30£6£36
6. Selling bread containing wood splintersdo.Bakers£15£15
7. Selling sour creamdo.Wholesale Dairyman£20£5£25
8. Selling a mouldy cream dessertSection 8, Food and Drugs Act, 1955do.£40£5£45