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During the year 247 samples of designated milk were submitted
for statutory tests. The results were as follows:—
Designation. Satisfactory. Void. Unsatisfactory.
Pasteurised 213 — —
Sterilised 27 — —
Untreated 3 2 1
Ultra Heat Treated 1 — —
The unsatisfactory sample of untreated milk failed the Methylene
Blue Test. An investigation was made and a further sample taken
from the same source was satisfactory.
Brucella Abortus.
No positive samples of milk were found.
Ice-Cream.
During the year 120 samples were submitted for bacteriological
examination. The results were as follows:—
Grade 1 68
Grade 2 10
Grade 3 25
Grade 4 17
The Grade 4 samples were mainly of soft ice-cream. Investigations
invariably proved incomplete sterilisation of apparatus or
careless handling. Appropriate action was taken in each case until
satisfactory samples were obtained.
Bacteriological Examination of Other Foods.
Samples of sausages, sliced cooked meat, soup powder, egg albumen
(10). and jellied eels, were sent to the Public Health Laboratory
for special bacteriological examination. None of the samples showed
the presence of pathogenic organisms, and they were reported upon
as being satisfactory.
Meat and Other Foods.
There is one licensed slaughterhouse in the Borough which is in
private ownership. These premises which have been in use for a
number of years, are old and there are many inherent defects. The
layout of the premises is poor and facilities for meat inspection are
inadequate. In February, 1965, the (then) Mitcham Borough Council
renewed the licence for the year ending 31st March, 1966. In February,
1966, the new London Borough Council renewed the licence
for the year ending 31st March, 1967, but asked other Committees
who were concerned in negotiations with the licensee to expedite their
completion, in order that a proposed new slaughterhouse might be
constructed, and the existing premises closed. In the meantime
slaughtering continued throughout 1966 daily each week (with the
exception of Saturdays) and from 6 a.m. to 12 noon each Sunday.
A 100 per cent meat inspection service was maintained during 1966,
but it was found necessary to employ two Inspectors on Sundays towards
the end of the year, to the prejudice of work on the District
during the week.
During the year 14 slaughtermen's licences were issued under
the provisions of the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1958, one being a
licence to slaughter under supervision.
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