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
Hillingdon 1972
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hillingdon]
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Details of twelve prosecutions taken as a result of food complaints:
| Offence | Statute | Trade of Defendant | Fine | Costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling a mouldy cream | Sect. 8 Food & Drugs | Wholesale | |||
| Dessert | Act 1955 | Dairyman | £40 | £5 | £45 |
| Selling yoghurt | |||||
| containing mould | do. | Grocer | £25 | — | £25 |
| Selling mouldy Cream | Grocer | £20 | £5 | £25 | |
| Dessert | do. | ||||
| Insect in a Raspberry | |||||
| Pie | Section 2 | Confectioner | £50 | — | £50 |
| Insect in Honey | do. | Food Manufact. | £10 | £10 | £20 |
| Insulation tape in a sausage | do. | Food Manufact. | £10 | £10 | £20 |
| Insect in a bun | do. | Baker | £25 | £8 | £33 |
| Metal in loaf | do. | Bakers | £100 | £15 | £115 |
| Finger dressing in a sausage roll | do. | Food Manufact. | £40 | £5 | £45 |
| Foreign matter in milk | do. | Wholesale Dairyman | £50 | £10 | £60 |
| Selling mouldy yoghurt | do. | Wholesale Dairyman | £5 | £5 | £10 |
| Selling prawns described as lobster | do. | Caterer | £20 | £5 | £25 |
It is felt that the increase in complaints which have been reported does not necessarily indicate
a deterioration in the standards of food production and handling, rather, it reflects an increased
consumer awareness in such matters. A contributory factor to the increase is the impersonal service
of the large food market as it is so much more difficult to complain than it was to a family grocer.
In these circumstances the complainant finds it easier to deal with the local authority. While these
complaints are welcomed and are a valuable part of food control, it is to be hoped that the interests
of the consumer will soon embrace the insanitary habits and practices which exist in many food shops.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT 1955
Samples examined in the Departmental laboratory
| Food | Satisfactory | Unsatisfactory | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buttered rolls | 5 | 5 | |
| Canned fruit | 4 | 4 | |
| Cream | 11 | 11 | |
| Cream confectionery | 6 | 6 | |
| Food colours | 8 | 8 | |
| Jam | 1 | 1 | |
| Jelly | 7 | 7 | |
| Milk | 62 | 3 | 65 |
| Mincemeat | 10 | 10 | |
| Sausage rolls | 4 | 4 | |
| Spirits | 16 | 16 | |
| Vinegar | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals | 135 | 3 | 138 |