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31.
BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF FOOD
Ten samples of ice cream were examined and all found to be
satisfactory.
Various processed meats were sampled from shop counters and display
cabinets, namely:
Quick frozen steaklets Satisfactory
Steakettes Unsatisfactory
Liver sausage Fairly satisfactory
Ham Unsatisfactory
Luncheon meat Unsatisfactory
Corned beef Satisfactory
Sausage lb.) Unsatisfactory
Sausage lb.) Unsatisfactory
The unsatisfactory samples were found to contain excessively large
numbers of bacteria. In a few cases these were of excretal origin but
fortunately none were pathogenic.
None of these foods can be sterile because they have to be handled,
but the number of bacteria can and should be low. Excretal organisms
should not be present. They were in an unsatisfactory condition
because of poor methods of handling, storage at too high a temperature
and overlong storage.
All the retailers were surprised at the results because their
premises were apparently clean and satisfactory. They now understand
that their methods also have to be improved and are readily accepting
the advice and instructions of the Public Health Inspectors to this end.
Merchandise Marks Act. 1887
A greengrocer was found to be selling Dutch tomatoes as English.
He was fined £10. 0s. 0d. for this offence and £2. 0s. 0d. for
other labelling offences.
Unsound food
2,146 lbs. of various meats, 389 tins and 356 packages of food
were condemned and destroyed.