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Clean Food Campaign.
During the year further steps were taken to see that all premises
where food is prepared, stored or sold were up to a reasonable
standard.
Improvements and alterations have been carried out, and the
general standard of cleanliness is now much higher than previously.
Some premises are of a very high standard; but some time must
elapse before the general standard attains the ideal. One of the
difficulties is that many premises now used were not originally
constructed for the purpose; and, short of reconstruction at a
great cost, cannot be made suitable. The remedy is to be found
in the compulsory registration of all food premises. It would
mean that many existing premises would probably not be registered
by the Local Authority; but this would be preferable to the
existing method of having first to prove a contravention of the
Food and Drugs Act or local Byelaw before improvements can be
effected. Some might consider this procedure harsh; but in the
interests of public health it is essential, even if some compensation
were to be given for loss of business.
Another matter of great importance is the control of the type
of person engaged in the trade of catering. The day has passed
when any person, however ignorant, should be permitted to prepare,