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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
handling because of the greater communal feeding taking place. To avoid any
extension, and to bring about a reduction of such food poisoning by bacteria, a
campaign was started to reduce contamination due to the lack of cleanliness. The
need for cleanliness and the need for strict personal hygiene was strongly
emphasised.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938—SAMPLING.
During the year, your authorised officers have submitted a total of 308 samples
for examination. Details of these samples are given in Appendix F in tabular
form.
It is indicative of the value of publicity on health matters that the public
frequently bring to the notice of the Department any food and sometimes cooking
utensils, felt to be harmful to the individual, with a view to examination by the
analyst. Under this heading we submitted steam pudding mixtures, baby food,
an aluminium bowl and peppermint chocolates. Our attention was also called to
the sale of mineral oil intended for frying purposes. The report of the analyst on
this material showed it to be liquid paraffin. The fact that the sale of any form of
oil is so easily made shows only too clearly that the resources of the housewife have
been reduced to the last extremity in the matter of frying fat. This is further
emphasised when one knows that the price of the oil ranges between four and
eight shillings per pint.
Ice Cream. During the year a deputation from the Local Food Executive
Committee waited upon the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food with
respect to the chemical quality of ice cream with a view to the institution of controlled
prices. Evidence by the Department showed that pre-war the large manufacturer
was able to provide ice cream with a fat content so rich as 14% and retailed this
product in wafer form at a price of 3d., having a thickness of from 5/6" to ¾" and with
a coating of chocolate or at 2d. without any coating, whereas at present the ice
cream produced by the large bulk manufacturers contained from 8 to 10 per cent.
fat and that of the small producer retailers contained from 1 to 4 per cent. (sometimes
lev than 1 per cent.) of fat, but with a large proportion of farinaceous material,
chiefly wheaten in origin. As the price of both qualities is uncontrolled, it would
appear that the general public is paying excessive prices for the inferior article.
It is suggested, therefore, that the products should be divided into two groups
(1) Ice Cream (over 8 per cent. fat) and (2) Water Ice (under 2 per cent. fat), both
of which would need to be legally defined.
Smoked Herring Spread. On bacteriological examination a tin of this material
was found to contain a large number of micro-organisms showing that the contents
of the tin were not sterile. Appropriate action was taken and in consequence it
was found necessary by the London Packers to call in the bulk of this material
which had been distributed nationally.
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