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the premises was impracticable, or the material was unfit for animal feeding, it was sent in bulk to a
central refuse disposal depot at Westminster.
Canned Meats—Typhoid Fever—Aberdeen.
During the year an outbreak of typhoid fever occurred in Aberdeen and was associated with cold
cooked meat obtained from a local store. Consequently the Ministry of Health issued several circulars
to all Medical Officers of Health in England and Wales (i) advising the withdrawal of 6 lb. tins of
corned beef originating from specific packing stations in the Argentine and Uruguay, supplemented
later by information of particular code numbers; (ii) advising that all food handling establishments
should be made aware of the desirability of bacteriological investigation of any employees who had
recently been in Aberdeen; (iii) advising that canned tongue from " suspect " packing stations had
been imported into this country; (iv) reporting that routine sampling of corned beef in Edinburgh
had resulted in the isolation of organisms likely to cause food poisoning from a can of " Andes "
Brand corned beef coming from a particular packing station in the Argentine; and (v) advising that
brands other than " Andes " had been imported from the packing station referred to in (iv) above.
It was imperative that all food and catering establishments should be made aware of the situation
as soon as possible and be requested to check their stocks and staff immediately. Accordingly, on
the same day as information was received from the Ministry the proprietors of these premises were
informed by letter. This entailed sending five consecutive circulars to the known 800 probable users
of canned meat, and completing the despatch took precedence over all else. In addition the public
health inspectors visited all large firms in the Borough which might operate staff canteens which could
carry stocks of canned meats. As a result of this action requests were received from many food
traders and caterers for their stocks to be examined, and the public health inspectors traced and
withdrew from use forty-eight tins of the " suspect " canned meats. Fourteen food handlers who
had visited Aberdeen during the period of the outbreak were also traced and excluded from actual
food handling whilst bacteriological investigation was carried out. In every instance a negative
report was received and no secondary cases occurred in St. Marylebone.
As is usual during these episodes, a large number of enquiries was received from the general public
regarding the use of canned meats. The co-operation extended by the traders concerned was a significant
factor in the early and successful completion of this urgent investigation .
Merchandise Marks.
During the year, two stallholders were found to be selling imported tomatoes as " English "; they
were warned of the offence.
Milk.
There are 99 premises registered for the sale of milk and 17 milk roundsmen operate in the Borough
from shops or depots elsewhere.
A total of 105 Dealer's "Pre-packed Milk" licences are extant under The Milk (Special Designation)
Regulations, 1960/3, for the five-year period to 31st December, 1965. This form of single licence
allows the use of the special designations " pasteurised ", " sterilized " and " untreated The
designation " untreated " replaced the designation " tuberculin tested " from the 1st October, 1964.
The composition of the twelve samples of milk analysed was found to be satisfactory.
Of the 19 samples of milk examined by the Council's Bacteriologist, two failed to satisfy the phosphatase
test. The matter was taken up with the suppliers concerned and subsequent samples were
found to be satisfactory.
Ice Cream.
Two premises are registered for the manufacture of ice cream and 190 for its sale and storage.
Details of the classes of premises are given in Table 18, page 37.
Five samples of ice cream were examined by the Council's Bacteriologist, with the following results:
Grade I—1; Grade II—3; Grade III—1. Samples reported as Grade III are considered as "borderline
" and the supplier is warned of the need to exercise greater care in methods of manufacture, storage
and sale and advised as may be necessary.
Preserved Food.
Fifty-nine premises are registered for the preparation or manufacture of sausages or potted, pressed,
pickled or preserved food intended for sale; regular inspections were made and informal action was
taken to remedy unsatisfactory conditions found from time to time. Details of the classes of premises
registered are given in Table 18, page 37.