London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Surbiton 1947

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Surbiton]

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The Minister stated that he had given consideration to the
proscription in the Regulations of a bacteriological standard of
cleanliness for ice-cream , but be was still not satisfied that there
was any tost the reliability ??? was sufficiently established
to justify its use as a ??? with which
would constitute an of fence. ???, however, draw attention to
a form of methylene blue test,??? for testing ice cream which
night provisionally bo used as a ??? to cleanliness. He
suggested that where ice-cream consistently failed to reach Grades
I and II it would be reasonable to regard this as indicating defects
of manufacture or handling, calling for further investigation.
It should be noted that this tost is not a neons of chocking
the safety of ice-cream, but only a guide to cleanliness. Because of
the possibility of error in the test itself it is suggested that
frequent samples should be taken from each retailer and manufacturer,
and the hygienic quality thereof judged not on a single result but
on a series of results.
It was not possible during 1947 to take many samples, and
as it was our first experience with the now test, as well as its
first use in the Laboratory, I do not think that firm conclusions
should be drawn from the results. All retailers were supplied
with a copy of each Laboratory report, and a Sanitary Inspector
visited the premises and gave advice thereon. Copy reports were
also sent to the Sanitary Inspector for the district where
manufacture took place. It is hoped in future years to take a
much larger number of samples, and it is anticipated that with
wider experience, the tost will prove of greater value.

For record purposes the following table is given shewing Laboratory Reports on ice cream. samples taken during the year.

Ref ,No.>. DateVendorWhether manufd. in Boro.Report.
4879.9.47ANoGrade 3. Coliform bacilli were present in 2 out of three tubes inoculated with 1/10 ml. Faecal coli absent.
956510.9.47ANoGrade 3. Coliform bacilli were present in 3 out of three tubes inoculated with 1/10 ml.
990119.9.47ANoMethylene blue test not possible. Plate count 350,000. Coliform bacilli wore present in 3 out of three tubes inoculated with l/10 ml. Faecal coli absent.
10,11425.9.47ANoGrade 3. Coliform bacilli were present in 3 out of three tubes inoculated with 1/10 ml. Faecal coli - absent.
10,11525.9.47ANoGrade 4. Coliform bacilli wore present in 3 out of three tubes inoculatod with 1/10 ml. Faecal coli - absent.

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