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HYGIENE OF FOOD
Food Poisoning:
There were six cases of Food Poisoning notified during the year.
These were notified on symptoms alone and bacteriological examination
revealed no causative organisms in any of the cases. The cases were
widely separated and there was no article of food taken in common by
the individuals concerned- All recovered rapidly and were more
properly to be described as "cases of digestive disturbance".
On 5th October information was received that a number of children
attending Staveley Jtoad Schools were suffering from digestive symptoms
suggesting food poisoning., Other cases occurred later, the total
number amounting to 20° The main symptom was vomiting and 15 of the
cases had recovered on 6th October. All were recovered by the 9th
October. The only foods which had been partaken of by all the patients
were steak pie and gravy. The steak pie had been completely consumed
but a sample of the gravy, which had been prepared separately, was
taken and bacteriologically examined, but showed no infective
organisms. Investigations were made at the Cambridge Road Kitchen
where school meals are prepared. It was ascertained that 390 to 400
persons were at risk of whom only 20 developed illness. Two food
employees were excluded temporarily from work in the kitchen, one
suffering from a cut finger - non-septic, and one from very slight
nasal catarrh- There were no subsequent occurrences of intestinal
trouble at the school.
Bye-laws relating to the Handling, Wrapping and Delivery of Food
and the Sale of Food in the Open Air:
On 13th November, 1950, these Bye-laws came into force in the
Borough. They are based on Model Bye-laws issued by the Ministry of
Food, and extend to a certain degree the local powers of the Council
to punish persons offending against certain elementary rules of
hygiene. While in exceptional cases it may be necessary to bring
persistent offenders to court for judgment, the policy of the Health
Department has been to improve by persuasion and example, and with
the friendly co-operation of food traders and handlers of food of all
grades, I am of the opinion that we have in the past obtained, and
can continue to obtain, much more in the way of improvement of
hygienic method than by the extensive use of legal power.
Unsound Food:
Certain articles of contaminated food were brought to the
Department by ratepayers during the year. In all such cases the
person exposing the unsound food for sale is considered responsible
by law and three prosecutions for the sale of unsound food were
instigated by the Council during 1950 - all were successful, the
tradesmen concerned being fined. Ten other cases were investigated.
Two warning letters were sent to the Firms concerned, and in eight
cases the complaints were not substantiated.
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