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 London 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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A number of cases of dirty meat arriving in the Market on British Railway transport have
been found and on each occasion the help and co-operation of the railway officials in the Market
has been given and much has been done to improve the standard of delivery and cleanliness of
the containers.
Washing Facilities. Since my last report, two of the conveniences around the Market have been
modernised and increased washing facilities have been provided. A third convenience is in process
of being modernised. More personnel from the Market are taking advantage of these washing
facilities.
Hats and Clothing. The general standard is good and a constant watch is kept to see that this
is maintained.
Smoking. A degree of smoking in the Market persists. Persuasive measures are still being
proceeded with but should these not be successful it will be necessary for prosecutions to be
recommended.
I would add that the Market Superintendent and his department have given great help and
co-operation in carrying out the Regulations and improving the standard of hygiene in the Market.
IMPORTATION OF FROZEN PRAWNS
115 samples of prawns taken on importation were submitted for bacteriological examination,
of which 31 were contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci of a food poisoning type.
Details of the results of examination are given with the country of origin:—
| Country of Origin | Description | Total Samples | Surface Plate at 37°C | Count (samples containing coagulase positive staphylococci of a food poisoning type shown in brackets) * claustridium welchii. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| „ | - | - | |||||
| „ | |||||||
| — | — | — | — | ||||
In all cases when a significantly high plate count or the presence of coagulase-positive
staphylococci of a food poisoning type is reported the importers are warned, and it may be a
measure of the efficacy of steps taken for more hygienic processing at source that this year only
two samples of 115 showed plate counts exceeding 2,000,000 (i.e. 2,500,000 and 3,500.000). In
1959 of 110 samples, 16 exceeded 2,000,000, one being 40 million and one 75 million.
There is no statutory bacteriological standard for prawns and therefore a provisional standard
is applied which must necessarily allow of some flexibility.
In assessing fitness for human consumption a two-day surface plate count at 37°C. of
250,000 or less is regarded as satisfactory, a surface plate count of 2,000,000 and over being
regarded as excessive. Within this range regard is had to the presence of pathogens and faecal
contamination in conjunction with the surface plate count reported.
Depending upon the assessment made, release, re-export or destruction is decided upon.
Re-exportation is usually allowed conditionally upon a guarantee that the prawns will be processed,
in which case the Medical Officer of Health of the Port of destination is informed.
In no case was it necessary formally to seize any shipment, the importers voluntarily
surrendering the goods upon an assessment of unfitness for human consumption.
IMPORTED EGG PRODUCTS
During the year 5,715 tins Australian frozen egg, 30 cartons Chinese crystallised albumen
and 40 cartons powdered albumen, and 1,751 cartons and drums of U.S.A. albumen were imported
into City Wharves.
167 samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella organisms, of which six or 3.6%
were the subject of positive reports. — Salra. Typhimurium 3, Salm.Tennessee 2, Salm.alachua 1.
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