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During the summer it was decided to ascertain the bacteriological standard of cooked
meats on sale throughout the Borough. Approximately 100 samples, mostly of ham,
were taken over a period of about one month; the results obtained provided useful
information which can be used as a basis for further work. Excellent reports were
received of those hams which had been vacuum packed in transparent plastic material
at a large factory; sliced ham, also factory pre-packed by the same firm, was very satisfactory.
As would be expected, newly-opened tins were virtually sterile but some of the
open-pack hams centrally prepared by certain multiple grocers showed some contamination
when they were first opened in the retail shops. No dangerous organisms were
found but other results indicated that further work is desirable on practical methods of
maintaining a more satisfactory bacteriological standard of cleanliness of slicing machines.
Unsound Food
Complaints continue to be received in respect of food containing foreign substances
or otherwise alleged to be unfit for human consumption. During the year 26 such complaints
were considered by the Public Health Committee; in the majority of cases warning
letters were sent.
The normal method of disposing of unsound food is to use the incinerator at the
Council's Refuse Disposal Works. Occasionally, when there is a quantity of meat,
it is disposed of under supervision through the Council's waste food service; the meat
is previously cut up and dyed.
Registration of Food Hawkers
Under the provisions of the Essex County Council Act, 1952, Section 103, six persons
were registered as Food Hawkers; one had storage premises in the Borough.
Food Poisoning
8 cases of food poisoning were notified during the year. The following is a copy
of the annual return submitted to the Ministry of Health:—
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total
1 - 4 3 8
Cases otherwise ascertained (1st Quarter) 2
Symptomless Excreters Nil
Fatal Cases Nil