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
Stepney 1956
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Stepney]
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Bacteriological Examination of Foodstuffs.
Samples of food submitted for bacteriological examination numbered 150, details of which are as follows:-
| No.of Samples | No.unsatisfactory | Observations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egg Albumen Powder | 48 | 3 | Two showed presence of Salmonella Senftenberg and 1 Salmonella Aberdeen. (Parcels affected were re-exported). |
| Egg Yolk | 21 | 2 | Salmonella Typhi-murium (affected cases re-exported). |
| Pressed Beef | 15 | 1 | Staphylococcus Aureus Pyogenes isolated. Proprietor and staff instructed and advised on methods of production, and a code agreed with the proprietor. Subsequent samples (8) proved satisfactory. |
| Ice Cream | 13 | 2 | Grade III - manufactured outside the Borough. |
No adverse reports were received on the following samples examined:13
Egg Albumen Crystals, 7 Pasteurised Milk, 4 Frozen Liquid Whole Egg,
3 Dried Whole Egg, 3 Dressed Crab, 3 School Dinners, 2 Frozen Egg White,
2 Synthetic Cream, 1 Canned Tripe, 1 Gelatine Powder, 1 Sausage Pink,
1 Gelatine Water Colouring.
The following samples were examined in connection with cases of suspected
food poisoning and all proved satisfactory:- 1 Cake Mix, 1 Home
Made Cake, 1 Liver and Bacon Paste, 1 Steak Pie, 1 Steak and Kidney Paste,
1 Corned Beef, 1 Synthetic Cream Doughnut, 1 Pork Pie, 1 Sage and Onion
Stuffing, 1 Sausage (uncooked), 1 Confectionery (containing egg albumen),
1 Canned Peas.
Export Certificates.
Thirty certificates were issued in respect of the examination of
foodstuffs for export to South America, Sweden, Canada and the United
States of America.
Grocers' and Miscellaneous Food Premises.
The magistrates discharged absolutely, on payment of £3.0.0d costs,
the proprietor of a grocer's shop on whom 4 summonses were served for
failing to cleanse the premises and to provide a constant supply of hot
water. Legal proceedings were taken against four other shopkeepers,
3 summonses being in respect of minced meat containing preservative and
one of ground ginger which contained an excessive quantity of lead. In
these cases fines amounting to £32.0.0d and £13.10.0d costs were imposed.
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