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About 75 percent, of these outbreaks occurred during the summer months,
pointing to the importance of temperature in determining the bacteriological content
of our food.
These figures of course do not show the thousands of individual food poisoning
cases investigated, neither is it possible to get any figure which must be a huge one
for minor infections caused by unhygienic conditions in food premises, etc.
A scheme of special inspection of all premises in the Borough with a view to
raising the standard under which food is prepared, handled and distributed was
seriously curtailed owing to the acute shortage of sanitary inspectors, but it was
possible to issue a food handlers' pamphlet to all occupiers of food and drink premises
pointing out the dangers of unclean handling of foodstuffs. With the pamphlet
was sent a set of "Now wash your hands" sticky labels requesting that they be
placed in a prominent position on the W.C. door to remind the employees of the
necessity of washing the hands after using the W.C. or urinal.
It can be reasonably claimed that the constant supervision of food premises in
the Borough, despite the shortage of inspectorial staff, has done much to prevent
any serious outbreak of food poisoning.
During the year many improvements in the standard of conditions under which
food is prepared were effected and the following sanitary improvements were achieved
in connection with food premises:—
No. of sinks provided 32
No. of refrigerators provided 3
No. of hot water apparatus provided 36
Floors and walls repaired 15
Extra W.C. 1
Separate W.C 1
Ventilation 1
The Central Council for Health Education have arranged a refresher course for
sanitary inspectors on food and drink infection and all the sanitary inspectors
employed by the Borough Council will be allowed to take advantage of these lectures.
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FOOD SAMPLES
600 samples were submitted to the Public Analyst as follows:—
Medicines 148; Milk 86; Meat Products 71; Spices, etc. 48; Fish Products
42; Flour Products 40; Pickles and Sauces 30; Coffee and Coffee
and Chicory 16; Herbs 19; Cocoa 20; Tea 10; Soup and Soup Powder 9;