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85
There has been a 60% reduction in the number of dirty milk bottle complaints
compared with those reported in 1963.
There appears to be two main reasons for this, one a determined effort by
one large bottling plant in the Borough to improve the efficency of the human
element both as regards scrubbing of washed bottles and the maintenance of the
bottle washing machines at maximum performance, and two, a possible reduction
in the number of deliveries of milk from one large bottling plant to distributors in
the Borough.
It is not known, and there is no way of ascertaining, whether as a result of
the alteration in distribution increased complaints have been received by other
boroughs.
All complaints were investigated, the main object of which was to discover
the cause and take necessary steps to prevent recurrances. Advice was given
where appropriate.
Some of these foods were prepared outside the Borough, and a few overseas.
in such cases the Medical Officer of Health of the district concerned, or where
appropriate, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, was informed.
Imported Food Regulations, 1937-1948
Proposals initiated by the Corporation of London in 1962, to transfer to the
Port of London Health Authority the Council's functions, in common with other
London riparian authorities, in respect of imported food have been the subject of
consideration and investigation by the Minister of Health. The Minister, in
November, 1964 decided that the circumstances were not such as to warrant
removing from the riparian authorities the powers they have held under regulations
with regard to imported food.
Inspections, disposal, and, where necessary detention, sampling and chemical
analysis or bacteriological examination of food landed in the borough continue
therefore to be the responsibility of the Council and its designated officers, the
Medical Officer of Health and the two Food Inspectors.
The newly built London Cold Storage Co's premises at 32, Wandsworth Road
which has a capacity of 16,000 tons began operating as a cold store in August of
this year. There are facilities for receiving imported food by barge from the
London Docks as well as by road and rail.
216 samples of imported food have been taken and submitted to the Public
Health Laboratory Service for examination for the presence of food poisoning
organisms and any indicationjof undersirable bacterial contamination.