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HYGIENE OF FOOD
Food Poisoning
The total number of persons notified as cases of food poisoning by general practitioners
was 19 in 1955. This was less than one-half of the number occurring in 1954, an unexpected
figure as the summer, being a very hot and dry one, might have been expected to produce
favourable conditions for the breeding of food poisoning bacteria.
The results of bacteriological investigations of the notified cases were that only six were
confirmed and the organism found in each case was salmonella typhi murium.
Personal Hygiene
The free washing facilities in the public conveniences, which were brought into
operation in September, 1950, continued to be available throughout 1955. During that
period, 4,600 paper towels were issued free, and also 3,730 linen towels, which are provided
at a cost of 2d. per person.
Milk
The following licences under the milk (special designation) (raw milk) Regulations,
1949 and 1950, and milk (special designation) (pasteurised and sterilised milk) Regulations,
1949 and 1950, were issued:—
for the sale of Tuberculin Tested Milk 20
for the sale of Pasteurised Milk 24
for the sale of Sterilised Milk 22
Supplementary Licences 20
Total 86
Food Sampling
The bacteriological analyses of 209 food samples taken during the year were carried
out by the Public Health Laboratory Service.
One hundred and twenty-two of these specimens were ice-cream samples, covering
10 makes of ice-cream, and following bacteriological analyses the ice-creams were graded
as follows:—
Satisfactory 92
Doubtful 19
Unsatisfactory 11
32
Satisfactory communication has been maintained during the year with the County
Public Control Department and the report on the work carried out in Southall by the staff
of that Department is as follows:—