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
Merton and Morden 1953
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton & Morden]
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| Article | Total Samples | Genuine | Not Genuine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quinine, Amm, tincture of | 1 | - | 1 |
| Sage | 1 | 1 | — |
| Salmon, potted | 1 | 1 | - |
| Sardine, with Pimiento | 2 | 2 | - |
| Sausage Rolls | 4 | 4 | — |
| Sausages | 16 | 14 | 2 |
| Sausage Meat | 3 | 3 | - |
| Savoury Spread | 1 | 1 | - |
| Soup, tinned | 2 | 2 | - |
| Sponge Mixture | 1 | 1 | - |
| Suet | 1 | 1 | - |
| Sugar, Muscavado | 1 | 1 | - |
| Sweets | 7 | 7 | - |
| Total | 210 | 205 | 5 |
Action Taken.
(a) Pork Sausages (1721, informal). Contained added preservative—sulphur
dioxide 90 parts per million by weight.
A letter was sent to the retailer warning against "splitting"
of ready wrapped sausages and failing to supply a statutory
declaration regarding preservatives.
(b) Pork Chipolata Sausages (1724, informal). Incorrectly
described as chipolata sausages. Manufacturer interviewed
and advised regarding size/weight ratio.
(c) Horseradish (1746, informal). Devoid of aroma and
pungency, and worthless for the purposes for which horseradish
is used. Formal sample was unobtainable. Packer's
address on label was insufficient, but case was referred to
the local authority in whose area the packer was believed
to operate.
(d) Ammoniated Tincture of Quinine (1775, informal). Contained
only 1.5;% w/v of anhydrous quinine, instead of
a minimum of 1.56% w/v, as required by the B.P.C. A
cautionary letter was sent to the retailer.
(e) Beef Dripping (1897, informal). Contained 3.5% Oleic
Acid, instead of a minimum of 1.5% of free fatty acids.
A subsequent formal sample proved to be genuine.
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