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HYGIENE OF FOOD
Food Poisoning
Of the 9 cases notified as food poisoning, 4 were not confirmed as bacteriologically so.
With regard to the other 5, 4 were members of one family and all returned specimens positive
for Salmonella Bredeni, the other single case was one of Salmonella Typhi Murium. No
spread of infection took place from any of these persons and the family was pronounced
clear of infection after 16 weeks, and the single case after 1 week.
Personal Hygiene
The free washing facilities in the public conveniences, which were brought into operation
in September, 1950, continued to be available throughout 1957. During that period 10,600
paper towels were issued free, and also 3,878 linen towels, which are provided at a cost of
2d. per person. The paper towel issue has doubled during 1957.
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 22
for the sale of Pasteurised Milk 25
for the sale of Sterilised Milk 23
Supplementary Licences 20
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Ice Cream
The Ice Cream (Heat Treatment etc.) Regulations, 1947-1952. As there were no
manufacturers in the Borough temperature control observations, as laid down in these
Regulations, were not required. Routine work was carried out under Article 4 of the 1947
Regulations to check the conservation of ice-cream in cinemas.
Food Sampling
The bacteriological analyses of 198 food samples, taken during the year, were carried
out by the Public Health Laboratory Service.
144 of these specimens were ice-cream samples, covering 9 makes of ice-cream, and
following bacteriological analyses the ice-creams were graded as follows:—
Excellent 54
Satisfactory 75
Doubtful 4
Unsatisfactory 11
35 samples were taken of Imitation Cream. The results of these were all satisfactory,
except on three occasions when there was a slight increase in the Plate Count, but to a very
small degree.
Seven samples of Egg Albumen were tested. On two occasions Salmonella Typhi
Murium was found and the offending material was confiscated.
Seven samples of Artesian Well water and one of tap water, and three samples of water
from the Paddling Pool were tested during the year. The water from the Paddling Pool
having been found to contain organisms, no further samples were taken until the Pool had
been closed, cleansed and refilled. Subsequent tests were satisfactory.
The remaining sample was of the washings from ice cream preparation and was satisfactory.
The Artesian Well water was subjected to chemical analysis as well as bacteriological,
and there was no evidence of pollution following either test.
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