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OUTBREAKS OF FOOD POISONING, AND CLEAN FOOD
CAMPAIGN
During the year no notifications of food poisoning were received.
The Public Health Department staff continued to pursue an active policy
in the supervision and control of food premises. This is reflected in the
considerable increase in the total number of visits paid to food premises,
as recorded on page 26. No prosecutions were brought against any
person under the Food and Drugs Act, or the bye-laws, during the year.
In general, it can be stated that good standards of hygiene are maintained
throughout the Borough in all the food trades.
NUTRITION
One important event which took place in July was the discontinuance
of meat rationing. This was the last article of food left in the Government's
rationing scheme, and with the freedom to purchase meat in any quantity
from any butcher, a considerable step forward was made in ensuring a
better supply of first-class protein.
Nutritional standards, as observed by examining children in schools
and at infant welfare clinics, are now at the highest level yet recorded.
The Government scheme for the provision of welfare foods has been
continued. In June, the Ministry of Food handed over to the local health
authority the distribution scheme for welfare foods. This is now handled
locally by the Divisional Medical Officer's staff and issues are made at
a converted hut in the Corporation's car park, at infant welfare centres,
and also at the branch library in Beddington. Ladies of the W.V.S. have
most generously helped in the distribution of these welfare foods, and
we are most grateful for their willing co-operation in this important
service to mothers and infants.
Proprietary brands of vitamin preparations and some dried milk
foods continue to be available to mothers at infant welfare centres and
at the Town Hall.
SHELL FISH (MOLLUSCAN)
Only a small quantity of shell fish is marketed in the district, and is
obtained chiefly from Billingsgate Market, London.
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