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

City of Westminster 1957

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Westminster, City of]

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Table: FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955, Section 8.The following table shows the amount of food condemned as unfit for human consumption during the year:—

FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955, Section 8.

The following table shows the amount of food condemned as unfit for human consumption during the year:—

Amount destroyed.
Tons.Cwts.Lbs.
Canned food101319
Meat1611
Fruit and vegetables1931895
Cereals—629
Fats——14
Fish—116
Confectionery—183
Miscellaneous—963
Totals207696

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Method of disposal of condemned food.
Food condemned or voluntarily surrendered to the Public Health
Inspectors is disposed of by depositing in the Council's refuse barges at
the Central Depot at Gatliff Road, S.W.1.
Foodstuffs disposed of at this depot are removed by barge for land
reclamation by controlled tipping at Pitsea. No recovery or diversion
of any goods whatsoever takes place at the central tipping site.

Table: FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955—SECTION 26.The following return was made to the Ministry of Health in accordance with the requirements of Appendix D (I) of the revised Memo. 188/Med/49 giving details of food poisoning notifications received during the year and returned to the Registrar General.

FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955—SECTION 26.

The following return was made to the Ministry of Health in accordance with the requirements of Appendix D (I) of the revised Memo. 188/Med/49 giving details of food poisoning notifications received during the year and returned to the Registrar General.

First quarter.Second quarter.Third quarter.Fourth quarter.Total.
2911224

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Of those notified, 18 were individual notifications. Of the remainder
two were children who were taken ill whilst on holiday and in consequence
returned home. The notifications were received after their recovery.
The other four persons, who were visitors to this country were taken
severely ill following a meal of poached egg on rice with lobster sauce
at a West End restaurant. The causative organism was believed by
the bacteriologist to have gained access to the food from a milk product.
Other instances of persons affected with food poisoning came to the
notice of this department during the year. Eleven of such outbreaks
were investigated and notified to the Ministry of Health. A total of
214 persons were concerned. These were generally employees of firms
having premises in Westminster, or casual visitors to the City.