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
Malden and Coombe 1941
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Malden & Coombe]
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15
POOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938.
During the year 136 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst for analysis. These comprised the following:—
| Articles. | Analysed. | Adulterated or below standard. | Prosecutions. | Convictions. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal. | Informal | Total. | Formal | Informal. | Total. | |||
| Milk | 67. | — | 67. | 8. | — | 8. | — | — |
| Sausages | — | 3. | 3. | |||||
| Jam | — | 3. | 3. | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Margarine | — | 4. | 4. | — | 4. | 4. | — | — |
| Flour | — | 3. | 3. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tapioca | — | 1. | 1. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Rice | — | 4. | 4. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Egg powder | — | 1. | 1. | — | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Pepper | — | 3. | 3. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Lard | — | 4. | 4. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Butter | — | 4. | 4. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cocoa | — | 6. | 6. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Tea | — | 4. | 4. | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coffee | — | 3. | 3. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Vinegar | — | 4. | 4. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Sugar | — | 2. | 2. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Pickles | — | 3. | 3. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Honey | — | 1. | 1. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Cheese | — | 6. | 6. | - | - | - | - | - |
| Essences and food substitutes | 7. | 3. | 10. | 3. | 3. | 6. | 1. | 1. |
| 74. | 62. | 136. | 11. | 9. | 20. | 1. | 1. | |
Notes in regard to samples shown as adulterated or deteriorated.
Milk.—The eight samples of milk were all taken in course of
delivery The deficiencies in five instances were small and further
samples taken from churns in the same consignments disclosed
satisfactory results. It was felt, therefore, that prosecutions could
not be sustained and warnings were issued.
The remaining three were all from one producer. A prosecution
was authorised in regard to one of these samples but, unfortunately,
the third (retained) portion burst before the hearing and the
case had to be abandoned.
Jam.—The Analyst's comments in regard to this sample were:—
"This is not of full fruit standard as regards soluble solids (i.e.,
sugar mostly) but in view of the very high proportion of fruit
present I do not think any action need be taken."
Margarine.—Each of these samples contained Boric acid. The
Public Health (Preservatives in Food) Regulations forbids the