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THE HEALTH OF BARKING
FOOD POISONING.
Only two cases of food poisoning were notified during the year, but I do not
feel that this represents the whole of the persons affected. With more general
recognition by the public of the causes of minor diarrhoea and sickness, more action
can be taken towards prevention and control.
STREET TRADING.
The demand for increase in food supplies has been emphasised in Barking by
the inadequate number of retail shops sited on the London County Council Estate.
Owing to the shortage of" off ration " foods the Council decided to allow trading
from street stalls to commence. This departure from the normal practice in Barking
was undertaken reluctantly and arose from the insistent demand of the consumer
residents. It is not suggested that even with the strict operation of the Street
Trading Bye-laws the same standard of hygiene can be maintained as in established
shops. I look forward to the time when available food supplies distributed from the
established shops will be sufficient for all purposes.
FOOD MARKETS.
There are two covered markets established in the district in which the majority
of the shops retail food. The sanitary conveniences and washing facilities are
provided in a unit building for use by the whole of the traders. This is not ideal,
but under the present legislation must be accepted. Our aim is to secure the
provision of sanitary accommodation and washing facilities immediately available
to all food retailing premises.
CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FOOD.
The bacteriological examination of all milk and water supplies and the chemical
examination of water supplies is carried out for this Authority by the Counties
Public Health Laboratories, 66, Victoria Street, London, S.W.1, whilst the
examination of samples of milk for the presence of tubercle is carried out by Dr.
A. L. Sheather, of Chorleywood, Herts.
The Borough Analyst is Dr. J. H. Hamence, Peak House, Eastcheap,
London, E.C.
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