London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Ilford 1948
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Ilford]
This page requires JavaScript
30
Legal proceedings were taken against the publican, but the case was
dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act, on payment of £10 10s.
costs.
(d) Pure White Oil for Sponge Mixture (formal).—The sample
consisted of a light paraffin oil having no real food value, but not
unfit for human consumption. The analyst considered that the use
of mineral oil for cooking purposes was to be deprecated.
Representations were made to the Ministers of Food and Health
on the matter and an Order, the Mineral Oil in Food Order, 1949, has
now been made prohibiting the use of mineral oils in food.
The sale of the oil was immediately discontinued by the retailer.
(e) Iodised Table Salt (formal).—The sample contained 335 micrograms
per ounce of iodine, whereas it was stated to contain 540 micrograms
of iodine per ounce. The analyst considered that the loss of
iodine probably occurred in storage, and that the matter was one for
discussion with the manufacturers. This procedure was adopted.
(f) Bread (informal).—The sample was submitted for investigation
of the extraneous matter contained therein. Examination showed that
the matter was mouse excretion but no evidence of the presence of
any living B. Coli organisms was found on bacteriological examination.
A letter of warning was sent to the firm concerned.
Food Poisoning.
By virtue of Section 82 of the Ilford Corporation Act, 1937, food
poisoning became compulsorily notifiable in Ilford as from 1st October, 1937.
It is also notifiable under Section 17, Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
Thirty-eight notifications were received.
| No. of outbreaks | No. of cases | No. of deaths. | Organisms or other Agents responsible with No. of outbreaks of each. | Foods involved with No. of outbreaks of each. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 38 | Nil | Salmonella Enteritidis dublin 1 | Tinned beans 1; fish 2; Duck eggs 2; sausages 1; sausage meat 1. |
| Salmonella Typhi-murium 4 | ||||
| Presumedenterotoxin 2 |
In 16 notified cases the diagnosis was not substantiated by bacteriological
investigation.
Eight other instances of suspected food poisoning were investigated, but
no definite evidence as to the cause was found. All the persons affected
recovered.
Bakehouses.—There are 38 bakehouses in the district, 31 of which use
motive power. 255 inspections of bakehouses were carried out during the
year.
It was necessary to call upon the occupiers of bakehouses to carry out
cleansing and other work in 7 instances, and the requests were complied
with in all but 2 cases.
Meat and Other Foods.—During 1948, 3,323 inspections were made of
foodshops and food preparing premises, 6 Formal and 63 Informal Notices
were served under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, and 7 Formal and 64
Informal Notices were complied with, including 2 Formal and 18 Informal
Notices served in 1947.