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
Kensington and Chelsea 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington & Chelsea Borough]
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The ice-cream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations, 1959, require that
ingredients used in the manufacture of ice-cream be pasteurised or sterilised.
There is still no legal bacteriological standard for ice-cream. As in
previous years, samples were taken and submitted for examination under the
provisional methylene blue reduction test, which is a simple and practical
means for the routine examination of ice-cream. The test is not of
sufficient precision to justify its use as a statutory test. The grading
is determined by the length of time taken to decolourise the methylene
blue, and it is suggested that if samples consistently fail to reach
grades 1 and 2, it would be reasonable to regard this as an indication of
defects in manufacture or handling which warrant further investigation.
During the year, thirty-two samples of ice-cream were taken and submitted to the methylene blue test. The results were as follows:-
| Grade | Number of samples |
|---|---|
| 1 | 6 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 7 |
| 4 | 14 |
Premises in the borough where ice-cream is manufactured, stored or
sold were frequently inspected during the year, and generally were found
to be in a satisfactory condition.
The Liquid Egg (Pasteurisation) Regulations. 1963
These Regulations require the pasteurisation of liquid egg to be used
in food intended for sale for human consumption, other than egg broken out
on the food manufacturers' premises and used within twenty-four hours.
The Regulations prescribe the method of pasteurisation and the test to be
satisfied.
There are no egg pasteurisation plants in the borough and it was not
found necessary during the year to take any samples of liquid egg in
accordance with these Regulations.
Generally
There are no abattoirs or slaughterhouses in the borough, and no
killing of animals for human consumption is carried out.
There are no premises within the borough where poultry is processed.
LICENSING AND REGISTRATIONS
Certain licensing and registration duties, formerly carried out by
inspectors in the Town Clerk's department, where the work involved both
inspection and investigation in addition to administrative and clerical
duties, were transferred to this department on 2nd September 1968.
The details of these duties and the enactments under which they are
carried out are as follows:-
Licensing and inspection of employment agencies
(London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1921,
Byelaws (25) approved by the Secretary of State,
and conditions (5) attached to the licences).