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OUTBREAKS OF FOOD POISONING, AND CLEAN FOOD
CAMPAIGN
During the year three notifications of food poisoning were received.
Two of the cases belonged to the same family, and the incident took place
following a meal in a London restaurant. The officers of the Metropolitan
Borough in which the case occurred, carried out all the investigations at
the restaurant, and it was confirmed that both patients suffered from
staphylococcal food poisoning, following dinner in the evening.
One other case which occured in the Borough, was investigated, the
source of food suspected being fish fingers, sold from a fish shop in the
town. The probable origin of infection or contamination of the food was
not ascertained.
The Public Health Department staff continued to pursue an active
policy in the supervision and control of food premises. No prosecutions
were brought against any person under the Food and Drugs Act, or the
bye-laws, during the year.
NUTRITION
The nutritional standards of school children, as observed at routine
examinations, and children below school age, as observed at infant
welfare centres, are maintained at a very high level, the general
impression gained being that children tend to be taller and heavier in the
respective age-groups than formerly.
The Local Health Authority continued the scheme for the distribution
of welfare foods since it was handed over by the Ministry of Food in
June, 1954. Local issues are made from an office situated in the
Corporation Car Park by the Divisional Medical Officer's staff and
ladies of the W.V.S. Issues were also made at infant welfare centres and
at the branch library in Beddington. Grateful thanks are due to the
many volunteers, who so willingly co-operate in this important service
for 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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