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All the unsatisfactory samples of milk had failed the Methylene
Blue Test. Investigations were made into the cause of these failures.
Brucella Abortus.
At the request of the West Sussex County Council samples of
raw milk are taken in Merton from supplies sent into this district for
processing, from farms in the West Sussex area. Sixty such samples
were taken during the year and the results of examinations were all
negative. These results were notified to the West Sussex County
Council.
Ice-Cream.
During the year 96 samples were submitted for bacteriological
examination. The results were as follows: —
Grade 1 65
Grade 2 21
Grade 3 3
Grade 4 7
Investigation into Grade 4 samples invariably proved that there
was incomplete sterilisation of apparatus or careless handling of either
ice-cream, or apparatus, or both. Appropriate action was taken in each
case until satisfactory samples were obtained.
Bacteriological Examination of Other Foods.
Subsequent to suspected outbreaks of food poisoning, 19 samples
of various foodstuffs were sent to the Public Health Laboratory for
special bacteriological examination. None of the samples showed the
presence of pathogenic organisms except three samples taken from the
same address. These consisted of cooked chicken, chicken with stuffing,
and chicken broth. Cultures from these three samples yielded
heavy growths of Staphylococcus aureus.
Meat and Other Foods.
In the Annual Report, 1967, I reported upon the action which had
been taken in respect of the one licensed slaughterhouse in the Borough
which was in private ownership. The position at the end of
1967 was that the licensee had appealed to the Magistrates Court
against the Local Authority's refusal to grant a licence and that the
Court had allowed the Appeal with costs.
On behalf of the Local Authority, Notice of Appeal was lodged
with the Divisional Court and on 10th July, 1968, the Appeal was
heard before the Lord Chief Justice (Lord Parker), Mr. Justice
Melford Stevenson and Mr. Justice Bridge. The Court did not hear
argument in the case but expressed its disapproval of the manner in
which the Council had acted and here appeared to be an unmistakable
invitation to the Council to withdraw from the proceedings. After
further consideration, this the Council did, and judgment was found
for the respondent with costs.
Since these proceedings the Council obtained possession of the
slaughterhouse and the occupier vacated the premises on 28th October,
1968. No slaughtering has taken place since that date and ultimately
the premises will be demolished.
In October, 1968, representations were made to the Council to
consider under Section 70 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, as to the
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