View report page

During the whole of 1950 the closest co-operation between the Port Health
Authority and the Southend Corporation continued.
Some 446 samples were taken by the Southend Corporation from the cockle
sheds and bacteriologically examined at the Public Health Laboratory at Southend,
the results being made available to this Authority.
Of these samples 115 were taken direct from the sterilizing apparatus. One
sample was classified as "fair", 15 were ''good" and the remaining 99 were
'Very good'' - indicating that the sterilizing process as carried out was
effective.
The remaining 331 samples were taken of cockles after washing and preparation
for sale.
while the condition of these samples was satisfactory and gave no cause for
anxiety for the public health, it was notable that during the summer months
of June, July, August and September, the bacterial condition of the samples
res not so good as during the winter months.
From the investigations so far carried out it appears that this may be due
to the higher temperature of the tap water during the summer months 'which
makes it more difficult to cool the cockles quickly and effectively after
cooking.

(32)