London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Hackney 1957
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hackney]
This page requires JavaScript
29
SECTION 91 (Powers of sampling) and SECTION 92 (Right to have samples
analysed). An authorised officer of a Council is empowered to procure samples
for analysis or for bacteriological or other examination; if he considers such
samples should be analysed, he shall submit them for analysis by the Public
Analyst for the area in which the samples are procured,
A total of 710 sanples, 425
| Genuine | Adulterated (or Unsatisfactory) | |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Formal Milk | 74 | 1 |
| Other foods | 345 | 5 |
| (b) Informal Milk | 138 | - |
| Other foods | 141 | 6 |
A detailed statement of all foods analysed is given on pages 22 and 23 of
the Appendix,
ADULTERATION The following are details of the 12 adulterated or unsatisfactory samples:-
| Nature and extent of adulteration | Action taken | |
|---|---|---|
| FORMAL Sterilised Milk | 6.5% added water. | Vendor warned |
| Pork Sausages | 4% deficient in meat; meat contained 54. 9% of fat, an excess of 4.9%. | Vendor warned |
| Ice cream | Deficient in milk solids to the extent of 4% of the specified amount. | Vendor warned |
| Baking Powder | Deficient in available Carbon Dioxide to the extent of 17 5% of the specified amount | Vendor warned |
| "Extra Rise" Self Raising Flour | Contained 0.44% available Carbon Dioxide, which is only 0 04% in excess of the minimum for normal Self Raising Flour | Manufacturer warned |
| Calamine Lotion | Contained no Glycerine | Reported to the London Executive Council |
| INFORMAL Ice-cream | Deficient in milk solids to the extent of 6 7% of the specified amount. | Formal sanple taken (see above) |
| Butter | 0.4% excess water. | Formal sample taken Satisfactory |
| Salmon and Shrimp Paste | 4% deficient in fish. | Formal sample taken Satisfactory |
| Pork Sausages | 3% deficient in meat. | Formal sample taken Satisfactory |
| Processed Cheddar Cheese | Contained an excess of 5% water and a deficiency of 2.3% fat (on dry basis). | Vendor informed |
| Mixed Vegetables (Tinned) | Label did not bear the address of packer and ingredients not specified. | Vendor warned |