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

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Brentford and Chiswick 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]

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FOOD SAMPLING

By the courtesy of the Chief Officer, Public Control Department of the Middlesex County Council, the following details of food sampling within the Borough are available:-

ArticleTotal samples procuredUnsatisfactory
Milk (various)22-
Butter151
Cakes33
Cream11-
Drugs11-
Pish and Pish Products18-
Pruit10-
Pruit Juice2-
Ice Cream15-
Liver10-
Margarine5-
Meat and Meat Products32-
Preserves3-
Sausages73
Spirits3
Soft Drinks2-
Sweets3
Vinegar and Non Brewed Condiment11-
Miscellaneous Totalj2 5 1857

The total number of samples taken was again less than during the previous
year i.e. 185 in 1961 compared with 205 in 1960 The number of unsatisfactory
samples increased from 6 in 1960 to 7 in 1961.
The following are the details from the Chief Officer's report on the 7
unsatisfactory samples and the action taken:-
Butter
A resident complained that he was served in a works canteen with a "buttered
roll" in which margarine had been used. Analysis proved the complaint justified,
but no action could be taken because the evidence was deemed not to be sufficient
to sustain a prosecution.
Cakes
Another resident complained of cream buns and cream slices, which were sold
as containing "real cream". Samples procured by the Department were analysed
and contained imitation cream. The retailer' s supplier was prosecuted, was
fined £25 and ordered to pay £10 10s.0d. toward the costs.
Sausages
Samples of sausages sold by a butcher were found to contain sulphur dioxide,
which is a preservative. The quantity found was within the prescribed limit
for sausages and the sale would have been proper had the presence of preservative
been declared by notice at the time of sale. The seller was cautioned.
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