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Food Poisoning
Thirteen persons were notified as suffering from food poisoning
during the year, and in addition 2 cases were otherwise ascertained.
This compares very unfavourably with last year when only 3 cases
occurred.
Three of these cases formed a family outbreak, the suspected food
being imported quick-frozen peeled prawns in plastic containers.
Samples of these peeled prawns and their containers investigated at
Colindale Laboratory showed the presence of Coagulase-Positive
Staphylococci, the same strains as those isolated from the faeces of the
affected family.
It is common knowledge that imported prawns have been discovered
to contain practically every dangerous variety of germ known,
and that at present there are no bacteriological standards laid down
with regard to the numbers of these organisms present. The real
danger arises when these items are purchased by families who take
them to homes lacking refrigerators and the frozen packs thaw with
resultant rapid growth of organisms and inevitable food poisoning.
This matter was taken up with the Company who supplied the
food, and it was pointed out that these packs should contain a warning
to the purchasers that the food should be eaten as soon as possible
after purchase. After much correspondence the Company has agreed
to affix a warning label on their future products. It is regrettable
that these attractive and tasteful foods should be allowed to become
disreputable, and it is hoped that when Port Medical Officers can
devise a suitable bacteriological standard, importing companies will
make every effort to prevent the infection of food at the packing
stations abroad.
It will also be helpful, of course, when every house in Britain
can afford a refrigerator in which to maintain these foods in good
condition.
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