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
City of London 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]
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Further to this activity the implementation of the Food Hygiene (Docks Carriers) Regulations
has imposed additional responsibility in that the requirements as interpreted by your Inspectors
involves the departure from long established conditions and practices in the discharge of meat
ships. Sustained pressure has been directed towards educating dock officials and personnel into
new ways, at times a slow process, but bringing the first successes this year.
The Meat (Staining and Sterilization) Regulations, 1960 came into operation in November
1960. Its greatest impact during the last year was undoubtedly felt by the pets food traders who
were importing Argentine Horsemeat. It should be realised that this piece of legislation enables
the local authority for the first time to have jurisdiction over meat notintended for human consumption.
While this control was necessary and welcome it has brought with it the problems always
associated with new regulations — ignorance of their implications by the trade and the need of
new techniques to meet the changing circumstances on the part of the Inspectorate. In this
respect the Port Health Inspectors and the horsemeat traders have had to arrive at an agreed
basis for working which has been largely satisfactory after many protracted but necessary meetings
and discussions. The following tables summarize the work of detention and examination carried
out during the year.
Meat Detained as Routine Inspection for Disease
An effort is made to cover as wide a field of different meats as is necessary to obtain a broad picture of the soundness or otherwise of various meats and offals imported via the Port of London.
| Commodity | Argentine | U.S.A. | New Zealand | Australia | Bechuanaland | Brazil | Chile | Southern Rhodesia | Uruguay | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ox/Beef Livers Bags | 5295 | 20 | 139 | 263 | 18 | 190 | 10 | 20 | 5955 | |
| Ctns. | ||||||||||
| Beef Briskets | 5 | 70 | 5 | 80 | ||||||
| Beef Tongues | 27 | 5 | 5 | 37 | ||||||
| Beef Kidneys | 20 | 5 | 25 | |||||||
| Beef Skirts | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| Beef Hearts | 2 | 5 | 7 | |||||||
| Pig Livers | 10 | Kenya 2 | 12 | |||||||
| Sheep Livers | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
| Total | 6120 | |||||||||
| Sheep Glanded | 3100 | 300 | 942 | 4342 | ||||||
| Beef Glanded | e | >0 Fores | 110 | |||||||
| >0 Hinds |
Cold Store
It has been again apparent that only the most careful inspection in the country of origin will
ensure that beef livers are free from hydated cysts. Time and energy devoted by the Cold Store
Officer to this commodity alone is evidence that here is a problem still to be solved by inspecting
authorities abroad. It may be opportune now that the Imported Food Regulations are being reviewed,
to require that the substance of the liver be incised in every case as part of the routine inspection.
During the year much less damaged meat has had to be dealt with possibly due to improved
handling and a better standard of carriage of refrigerated meat. There has however been need for
a very marked increase in bacteriological sampling, and the Cold Store Officer and the inspection
room staff have been working to the capacity of the butcher's shop.
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