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82
SECTION E
Inspection of Food and Supervision of Food Premises.
As a result of the resignation early in the year of the Junior
Food Inspector, inspections of food and supervision of food premises
throughout the year were carried out mainly by the Senior Food
Inspector who subsequently assumed responsibility in respect of
these duties for the whole of the Borough. With considerable
effort and despite the handicap of staff deficiency the high standards
achieved in previous years have been maintained.
During the year, in addition to his normal duties, the Senior
Food Inspector has given much of his spare time to the launching
of the Greenwich Guild of Hygiene, a full account of which appears
in Section "G" of this report. It would be appropriate here to
record an appreciation of the assistance afforded to the Public
Health Department by the Guild in its maintenance of hygiene in
relation to food handlers and their premises and so endeavouring
to secure for the public a wholesome food supply.
Food hygiene has become increasingly important in recent
years due, in a large measure, to the public's growing habit of
communal "dining out" and Local Authorities have responded to
the public demand for clean and safe food. Model food bye-laws
were published by the Ministry of Food in October, 1949, and they
formed the basis for legislation in approximately 80% of the local
authorities in England and Wales.
In London, however, the Metropolitan Boroughs are still
awaiting the issue of the new bye-laws which the London County
Council are in the process of revising and it is anticipated that these,
used in conjunction with the Food and Drugs Act, will materially
assist in improving the standard of cleanliness of food.
Nevertheless, until compulsory registration of all premises
used in connection with the handling, storage and sale of foods is
introduced, so long will Local Authorities be unable to attain the
ideal standard of food hygiene which they so earnestly desire.
Legislation.—Of new or revised legislation concerning food
introduced during the current year, the following enactments
were the most important:—
Food and Drugs (Milk, Dairies and Artificial Cream) Act, 1950.
—No significant changes in tho law have been intended and the
Act only serves to consolidate previous legislation relating to milk,
dairies and artificial cream and in this respect it will replace the