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
Brentford and Chiswick 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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Unsound Food
15 complaints concerning food alleged to be unsound were
received in the Department during the year. Legal action was not
necessary in any of the cases.
In five instances the Council gave instructions for warning
letters to be sent to the firms concerned and in another two cases
for no further action to be taken. In eight other cases the
complaints were not substantiated.
Food Sampling
By the courtesy of the County Council Public Control Officer the following details of food sampling within the Borough are available:-
TABLE XIII
| Article | Total samples procured | Unsatisfactory |
|---|---|---|
| Milk | 75 | - |
| Blancmange powder | 1 | - |
| Cakes (various) | 16 | - |
| Camphorated Chalk | 2 | - |
| Cooked Meats | 5 | - |
| Fish (various) | 21 | 4 |
| Fish Paste | 2 | - |
| Grapes in Syrup | 1 | - |
| Ice Cream | 1 | - |
| Macaroni | 2 | - |
| Malted Milk | 1 | - |
| Meat Pie | 2 | - |
| Mixed Spice | 1 | - |
| Non-Brewed Condiment | 2 | - |
| Orange Curd | 1 | 1 |
| Salad Cream | 1 | - |
| Sausages | 24 | - |
| Tomato Soup | 2 | - |
| Victoria Plums (tinned) | 4 | - |
| Vinegar | 20 | 2 |
| Wines and Spirits | 35 | 2 |
| TOTALS | 219 | 9 |
The total number of samples taken shows an increase of 24 over
last year's figure of 195. In the cases of four of the
unsatisfactory samples, an official caution was given. Legal action
was taken by Middlesex County Council as Food and Drugs Authority in
four other cases and the prosecutions resulted in conviction and
fines. In one case follow up was satisfactory without need for
official action.
In addition 84 samples of Ice Cream were taken by the Borough's
Sanitary Inspectors. The results of this sampling are shown on page 54
40