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sold or intended for sale for human consumption, and in connection with
the sale or exposure for sale in the open air of food intended for human
consumption.
The Essex County Council Act, 1952, Section 105, requires that as
from 2nd April, 1953, any person intending to use premises which were
not used immediately before that date for the sale, storage, or preparation
for sale of any food (other than milk) intended for human consumption
shall give not less than 14 days' notice to the Council of his intention so
to do.
The whole-time services of two Sanitary Inspectors are utilised to deal
with food preparing premises, factory canteen premises and food and drugs
sampling. During 1954, they made 14,975 inspections of food shops and
food preparing premises and copies of the bye-laws were supplied where
necessary and the implications of them were made known to all persons
concerned. 180 informal and 14 formal notices were served under the Food
& Drugs Act, and 16 formal and 184 informal notices were complied with,
including 6 formal and 35 informal notices served prior to 1954.

The practice of inculcating interest in the proprietors, directors and
staffs of food handling organisations was continued in 1954, and it is satisfactory
to note that the catering industry, as a whole, continues to cooperate
admirably.
The Ministry of Education made representations to Local Education
Authorities on the need for constant vigilance and the observance of
hygienic practices by staff engaged in school canteens. Similar representations
were made by the Ministry of Health to the Hospital Authorities,
in respect of kitchen staff. Full co-operation was maintained. Six lectures,
and demonstrations with film strips and films were given, resulting in a
total attendance of 248.
Education in food hygiene has now been extended to the senior schools
and to study groups of various local organisations.
(iii) Sampling.
The Council has delegated to the Public Health Committee power to
institute legal proceedings under the Act.
220 samples (214 formal and 6 informal) were obtained during the
year 1954; 5 formal and 3 informal samples were not satisfactory as
follows:—
(a) Slice of Bread (informal).—Contained rodent excreta. A
warning letter was sent to the retailer.
(b) Buttermints (formal).—Contained only 0.62% of butter fat and
therefore misdescribed as "butter." Letters of warning were sent to
the retailer, and to the manufacturer.