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metal hand cans, filled from the churn in the street, were still
largely used and condensed milk, skimmed and whole, had a very
large sale, probably because of its convenience in use and storage,
and a mistaken idea as to its cheapness as compared with fresh
milk.
Among the informal samples purchased or obtained for examination
during 1926 were lemonade containing lead due to the use
of lead siphon pipe for drawing off the liquid, and three samples of
ice-cream which upon bacteriological examination showed distinct
evidence of contamination during some period of manufacture,
storage or exposure for sale; whilst part of a large consignment of
flour showed some evidence of contamination, the number of
bacteria being greater than that usual in a clean flour. Other
unsatisfactory samples were bread containing, in one case undesirable
organisms and, in another, ants; chocolate containing
moths and eggs, and vinegar containing vinegar eels.
The Council from time to time drew attention to the various
directions in which powers for protecting foodstuffs, particularly
ice-cream, from contamination should be extended, and in 1926,
when many samples of badly contaminated ice-cream were taken,
recommended that ice-cream manufacturers and sellers should be
compulsorily registered and inspected with the same care as vendors
of milk.
On one occasion during 1931 a quantity of margarine was found
in a registered butter factory in the borough. The presence of
margarine in such a factory was contrary to the provisions of Section
10 of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, and legal
proceedings taken against the occupier resulted in the imposition
of a fine of £10 with £10 10s. costs.
Although there was an increase in the demand for "Certified"
and "Grade A" milk during this year the higher cost of graded
milk as compared with untreated milk restricted its sale in a
borough with a large working class population. A large quantity
of milk, especially that supplied by the larger firms, was pasteurised,
although in many cases it was not sold under the designation
"Pasteurised" and might not have conformed to the standard of
purity laid down in the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923.
No action could be taken, however, against a person selling milk
which, upon examination, was shown to have an excessive bacterial
content unless the milk was sold under one of the designations.
During 1933 further steps to prevent contamination of food
were taken when the proprietors of food premises were asked to
exhibit a poster in the lavatories of their establishments, drawing
the attention of employees to the necessity for compliance with the
requirements of the London County Council (General Powers) Act,
1908, as to personal cleanliness.