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
Woolwich 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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The Ministry, in consultation with offices of the Council, decided that the
carcases could be used for human consumption but that the entrails should be
destroyed. As burning at the Plumstead Destructor was inadvisable, due to the
proximity to the Council's pig farm and food concentrator, burial at a suitable site
at the abattoir was decided upon. A mechanical excavator was required to dig the
trench and quick lime was used as dressing.
There were no further outbreaks.
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933. Eight licences were granted to persons working
in the Borough to act as slaughterers. In addition, 9 applications for renewal of
existing licences were approved.
Ice Cream. Regular supervision of ice cream premises is carried out by the
sanitary inspectors and advice is given where necessary, particularly to manufacturers
of ice cream.
During 1949, 596 inspections of ice cream premises were made. There were
238 registered premises in the Borough at the end of the year, of which 28 were
for manufacture.
Twelve samples were submitted for grading by the Methylene Blue reduction test. This test assesses the bacterial cleanliness of ice cream. The time taken at 37° C. for complete decolorisation to take place is ascertained and the sample graded according to the following table:—
Table No. 12.
| Grade. | Time taken to reduce Methylene Blue. |
|---|---|
| 1 | 4½ hours or more |
| 2 | 2½ to 4 hours |
| 3 | ½ to 2 hours |
| 4 | 0. |
All the twelve samples which were submitted to the test were graded in Grade 2.
The provisions of the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations, 1947,
made under the Food and Drugs Act, had not come into full force during 1948 owing
to difficulties in the supply of certain essential recording instruments. From a
date yet to be appointed by the Minister of Health, it will be necessary in connection
with the Regulations to use such indicating and recording thermometers as
the local authority consider requisite for indicating and recording the temperatures
to, or at which, the mixture is raised, kept or reduced. This interval has been
provided in order to give time, where needed, to obtain thermometers.
In view of possible difficulties in obtaining cooling apparatus, it has been
provided that it shall be a defence for a defendant charged with an offence under
the Regulations alleged to have been committed before the 1st May, 1949, that
suitable cooling apparatus had been ordered before the date of the alleged offence
and that all practical steps had been taken to comply as far as possible with the
Regulations.
These Regulations provide that ice cream mixtures intended for sale for human
consumption shall be raised to, and kept at, a temperature of 150° Fahr. for 30
minutes, or alternatively, at not less than 160° Fahr. for 10 minutes, before freezing.
The Regulations do not apply to a "complete cold mix" which is a product
capable of being manufactured into ice cream with no addition except that of water.
During 1949 the Minister of Food increased the allocation of sugar and fat to
manufacturers who gave an undertaking that the fat content of their products would
not fall below 2½ per cent. Local Authorities were asked to co-operate by forwarding
details of all analyses of ice cream. The Minister pointed out, however, at that
time that the minimum fat content of 2½ per cent, did not constitute a " standard "
for ice cream.
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