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40
MINISTRY OF HEALTH, PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY,
EPSOM.
For examination of samples of milk, ice cream and water and
for advice and field investigations in cases of epidemics.
THE COUNTIES PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORIES,
66, VICTORIA STREET, S.W.I.
For examination of water samples and advice on the control of
water supply.
FOOD POISONING.
In the summer a sharp outbreak of food poisoning occurred
which, on investigation, proved to be due to "cream" cakes which
had been infected by Salmonella Typhimurium.
The cakes were made in a small and poorly ventilated bakery.
The artificial cream was received twice weekly from a reputable
firm. In the bakehouse this was thickened with sugar in an electric
mixer and was then fed into the cakes, either from a spoon or
through an icing bag. Cream mixture which remained was stored
for use the next day.
Investigations showed that one of the food handlers had
suffered from an abdominal upset five days before the outbreak.
Subsequently blood examinations indicated that this illness had
been due to an infection with salmonella typhimurium.
Bacteriological investigations showed that organisms identical
to those infecting the patients were being carried by one of the food
handlers in the bakery and were present in washings taken from the
icing bag. Fifteen patients suffered quite severely and were ill for
a week or more. There were many who had only mild symptoms
and did not seek medical advice.
This outbreak demonstrates the danger of certain foodstuffs
when handled under unsatisfactory conditions. In this case if the
food handler who was originally infected had remained off duty for
a few days—or indeed if he had invariably washed his hands before
handling the food—he would not have infected the bakery. If the
organisation of the bakery and storage arrangements for the cream