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
Hampstead 1955
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hampstead Borough]
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38
Most modern food stalls have good equipment; It is,
however, quite apparent that the average fairground trader needs
much more education and needs to use the equipment if the aim
the safety of food - that everyone desires, is to be achieved.
Warnings have previously been given as to the methods
of retailing shellfish. The present system is so unsatisfactory
and uncleanly as to be a potential source of outbreaks of food
poisoning. This issue is again being raised with the vendors
of this popular commodity and the Council is hopeful of receiving
their co-operation in giving a higher standard of cleanliness and
safety.
The following table shows the grading of Ice Cream samples taken at the fairground since the War:-
| Year | No. of Samples Taken | Grading under Meth. Blue Test | Percentages of Grades 1 and 2 Samples | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 1948 | 8 | Nil | 3 | 2 | 3 | 37.5 |
| 1949 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 33.3 |
| 1950 | 20 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 70.0 |
| 1951 | 38 | 23 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 77.8 |
| 1952 | 38 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 2 | 65.7 |
| 1953 | 42 | 18 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 66.6 |
| 1954 | 34 | 28 | 2 | - | 4 | 82.3 |
| 1955 | 11 | 10 | - | - | 1 | 90.9 |
All the bacteriological samples are speedily reported
upon by the Central Public Health Laboratory at Colindale, and I
must once more express to Dr. Betty Hobbs, Principal of the Food
Hygiene Section, my thanks for her co-operation and assistance
at all times.