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The by-laws are for promoting sanitary and cleanly conditions in
the manufacture, preparation, storage, transport and exposure for sale
of any article intended to be sold for food. They require the occupier
of any food premises to keep all internal surfaces in good repair and
condition; to cause walls, ceilings, etc., to be limewashed or otherwise
cleansed as may be reasonably necessary. Sufficient means of ventilation
and lighting must be provided, and the wrapping of food intended for
sale, in paper or other material that is not clean and reasonably suitable
for the purpose, is prohibited. The occupier is also required to take
steps as may be reasonably necessary, to prevent risk of contamination
of food on the premises. Food during transit must be adequately
protected from dust, dirt, flies, and other sources of contamination.
Food Poisoning.
Cases of illness attributed to articles of food purchased or consumed
at premises in the City were investigated during the year:—
(1) Information was received that 43 employees at a telephone
exchange in the City were suffering from gastro-intestinal
disorder which was suspected to be due to food poisoning.
Portions of steak and kidney pie, plums, pineapple juice and
gravy consumed by the affected persons were examined by the
Council's bacteriologist, who reported that, in his opinion, the
symptoms were definitely not attributable to any organism
recognised to cause food poisoning.
(2) Notification was received of thirty members of the staff in a
large block of flats who were suspected to be suffering from
food poisoning. Boiled salt beef which had been consumed by
each of the affected persons was thought to be the source of
infection. The unconsumed portion of the beef was examined
by the Council's bacteriologist who reported that no organism
of food poisoning or pathogenic group was isolated, and that
the history of the outbreak suggested it was due to toxic
products rather than an infection of living bacteria.
(3) Notification was received of ten persons at a training college
who had been mildly affected by food poisoning. Enquiries
were made but it was not possible to trace the cause of the
outbreak to any particular foodstuff, as each of the patients
appeared to have consumed different articles of food. No
further case was reported.