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FOOD POISONING.
Corrected notifications - Quarterly.
1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Total
7 1 5 2 15
OUTBREAKS. There were no outbreaks of food poisoning; all the above cases occurred
singly. In no case was it possible to identify the food responsible with any degree of
certainty. This is the common experience, since, unless there are related cases who have
partaken of some common dish, it is almost impossible to select the one which is responsible
from among the numerous foodstuffs eaten within the variable limits of the incubation period
of the disease.
The control of this disease depends upon scrupulous personal cleanliness and the
education of all concerned in the handling of food with regard to the dangers of food poisoning
and the methods best calculated to prevent it. During 1950 "the Council took two
important steps to this end. The first was the introduction of free washing facilities at
suitable public conveniences in the Borough, and the second was their action in sponsoring
the formation of the West Ham Clean Food Advisory Association.
WEST HAM CLEAN FOOD ADVISORY ASSOCIATION.
In the Spring of 1950 the Council convened two conferences under the chairmanship
of the Mayor. These conferences were attended by the Chairman and certain members of
the Health Committee, representatives of various food trade associations and other interested
parties.
As a result of these meetings a Clean Food Advisory Association was formed to operate
within the County Borough of West Ham. The aims of this Association ares-
(a) the promotion of improvement in the hygienic preparation, handling and distribution
of foodstuffs (both food and drink) in the Borough of West Ham.
(b) the encouragement of the observance of all statutory standards of hygiene.
(c) the application of Codes of Practice drawn up and agreed by the Executive
Committee of the Association.
The Executive Committee as originally constituted consisted of eight representatives
of local food traders together with the Chairman of the Health Committee and the Mayor of
West Ham as an ex officio member. The Committee were, however, given wide powers to co-opt
further members whose services might be considered to be of value. These powers are limited
only by the proviso that at least half of the members shall always be representatives of
local food traders.
The secretarial work of this Committee is being undertaken by your Medical Officer of
Health, and the Chief Sanitary Inspector attends as Technical Officer. Inspection of the
premises of proposed members of the Association will be carried out by the Council's Sanitary
Inspectors whose reports will form the basis of recommendations to the Committee with regard
to their suitability for acceptance.
During the latter half of 1950 the Executive Committee has met frequently to discuss
rules for membership of the Association, codes of practice to be applied in the various food
trades, and the design and form of an emblem and a badge to be issued to members. They have
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