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
Hackney 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
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Details are given below regarding the adulterated formal samples and the action taken by the Council in respect thereof:—
| Description of Sample. | Nature and Extent of Adulteration. | Action taken. |
|---|---|---|
| Pudding Mixture | Contained Acari | Vendor warned. |
| Cake Flour | 15% deficient in available Carbon Di-Oxide. | Vendor warned. |
| Milk | 4.04% deficient in Fat and 0.95% added water. | Vendor asked for explanation. |
| Gravy Browning | Contained 200 parts per million of Zinc. | Manufacturer informed. |
| Butter | 0.2% excess water | Vendor informed of the slight excess water. |
| Butter | 0.1% excess water | do. do. |
| Cake Mixture | Contained only 34% available Carbon Di-Oxide. | Old stock withdrawn from sale. |
| Cake Mixture | Contained Acari | do. do. |
| Salad Cream | 12% deficient in Edible Oil. | Producer informed. |
| Parsley | 7.6% sandy matter | do. do. |
| Butter | 0.2% excess water | Vendor informed of slight excess water. |
| Non-Brewed Vinegar | 7.5% deficient in Acetic Acid. | No action taken in consequence of recent Court decision on non-brewed vinegar. |
| Jelly Crystals | Contained 75% sugar, 9% below percentage specified in Food Standards Order. | Vendor asked for explanation. |
Food Complaints.—Complaints received regarding food which
has been contaminated by the presence of foreign bodies are becoming
more numerous.
These offences must be due mainly to carelessness in preparation
and manufacture, and therefore, every opportunity is taken to
impress upon those engaged in food production and distribution,
the importance of taking all necessary precautions to prevent such
incidents occurring.
The seriousness of this matter is indicated by the following
statement of complaints received during 1949:—
(1) Dirt in bread.
(2) Stone in tin of beans.
(3) Glass in bottle of milk.
(4) Dirt in doughnut.