View report page

Food Poisoning
In the years since the war public attention has been drawn to an
apparently increasing number of cases of food poisoning This is
probably much greater than the actual increase as information has been
much more frequently given to the Medical Officer of Health on the
occurrence of small outbreaks of incidents involving one or two persons
in a household and of individual cases than was formerly the case.
Nevertheless there has probably been some real increase due to the
greater number of persons taking their meals in school centres, works
canteens and luncheon clubs. Most of the outbreaks have been caused
by food being prepared one day, kept without adequate cooling, and
then reheated for consumption the next day.
The outbreaks are rarely serious in their effects and although
unpleasant and apt to cause disorganization complete recovery within a
day or two is the rule.
Between the end of the war and 1950 several outbreaks involving
10-60 persons occurred but none were serious.
Each year there have been a few cases involving 2 or 3 members of
a household or individuals. Many such cases have not been such as
are normally meant by the words Food Poisoning and the cause has remained
unknown.