London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Brentford and Chiswick 1960
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Brentford and Chiswick]
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During the year, 49 samples were taken for bacteriological examination and the results obtained are as under:-
| Grade | Ice Cream | Ice Lollies | Cream Lollies | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satis-factory | Doubt-ful | Unsatis-factory | Satis- factory | Dovbt-ful | Unsatis-factory | Satis-factory | Doubtful | Unsatis factory | |
| I | 5 | - | - | 4 | - | - | - | - | |
| II | 14 | - | - | - | - | - | 3 | - | - |
| III | - | 6 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| IV | - | - | 13 | - | - | 2 | - | - | 2 |
| Totals | 19 | 6 | 13 | 4 | - | 2 | 3 | - | 2 |
Two samples of ice lollies were taken when metallic contamination was suspected
and submitted through the Pood and Drugs Authority to the County Analyst.
Although the results showed no abnormal content of metal, the manufacturers
willingly replaced certain aluminium containers.
Because of unsatisfactory results obtained from samples of ice cream or
ice lollies from two manufacturers, swabs were taken from various parts of the
machines and equipment for bacteriological testing, Seven samples in one case,
and four in the other were taken, and positive results from two sites in each
suggested possible sources of pollution, These were subsequently dealt with.
The above table has been compiled from results graded according to the following provisional grades set up by the Public Health Laboratory, Ealing in relation to ice cream testing:-
| Grade Classificeation | Bacterial Count |
|---|---|
| I | Below 500 |
| II | 500 - 20,000 |
| III | 20.000 - 100.000 |
| IV | If count is over 100,000 and/or Faecal Coli present |
In the area served by Ealing Public Health Laboratory, the bacteriological
count which is carried out and the results of which are tabulated here, is much
more sensitive than the chemical tests used elsewhere. Although these chemical
tests are sufficient for statutory requirements, the fact that Dr. Hughes of the
Ealing Laboratory prefers the stricter control, is something for which the
Borough citizens can be grateful as manufacturers of ice cream who have factories
in other areas or who send out their products sometimes find that ice
cream passed elsewhere as suitable for consumption because of the results of the
chemical test, are in a less happy position here because the bacteriological
findings lead to investigations and requests for improvement of equipment or
hygienic method.
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