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30
In May, there was an outbreak of illness among persons resorting
to the Staff Canteen at the Town Hall. The symptoms were suggestive
of food poisoning, but no case was notified as such, and all
bacteriological examinations were negative to intestinal pathogens. In
all, 27 persons were affected, but the symptoms were in all cases
slight and recovery was complete within a few days. A careful
investigation failed to disclose the specific cause of the outbreak.
PROTECTION OF FOOD SUPPLY.
(B)-SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS.
The analysis of samples of food and drugs, procured under the
provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, or informally (i.e.,
without following the procedure prescribed by the Act), and the
examination of samples of heat-treated milk and of ice-cream by the
prescribed tests, is carried out by the Public Analyst for the Borough
(J. E. Woodhead, Esq., B.SC., F.R.I.C., PH.C.) at his laboratory at
325 Kennington Road, London, S.E.1 1.
The total number of formal samples taken under the Act during
1950 was 595, of which 3, or 0.5 per cent., were certified to be
adulterated. In addition, 605 informal samples were procured, of
which 9, or 1.5 per cent., were reported against.

*The somewhat higher figure for adulterated formal samples is explained
by the fact that it includes seven samples of milk taken from the same consignment.