View report page

233
[1903
The butchers', fishmongers' and greengrocers' shops and stalls, and other establishments
where foodstuffs are sold or prepared for sale, have been regularly and frequently visited during
the year, to which 4,889 visits have been paid. The quality and condition of the foodstuffs
generally which came under observation were fairly satisfactory, but in many instances warnings
have been given to traders, including butchers, fishmongers, fruiterers, etc., for having in
their possession under somewhat suspicious circumstances foodstuffs which were more or less
unsound on account of decomposition, and in each case the parties concerned have willingly
destroyed them and promised to exercise greater care in the future. In one instance (more
glaring) a fishmonger exposed unsound fish for sale, which was seized, and condemned by a
magistrate, the particulars being reported to the Public Health Committee, who ordered an
official warning to be addressed to the vendor.
The following cases were disposed of in the Police Courts: —
A firm of offal salesmen were summoned for having in the course of preparation for sale
certain sheeps' heads which were in a state of decomposition, rendering them unfit for human
food. The defence acknowledged their unsound condition, and admitted that they were found
on the table where such organs are usually prepared for food, but denied that these were intended
for any such purpose; and as the men were not actually engaged in their preparation at
the time of the Inspector's visit the magistrate gave the defendants the benefit of the doubt and
dismissed the summons, but without costs.
A butcher was fine 40s. and costs for exposing four pieces of meat for sale which were unsound
by decomposition.
Another well-known firm of butchers or meat salesmen were found in possession of a large
quantity of beef and mutton in an unsound condition in a cellar under the shop, the floor of
the room being at the time of seizure two or three inches deep with sewage matter. On the
case being brought before the North London magistrate, the defence admitted the putrid condition
of the meat, but denied that any part of it was intended for sale, and the magistrate
dismissed the case without costs, on the ground that no evidence had been brought to prove that
it was so intended, although the onus of proof under the section rests with the party charged.
A fruiterer at the North London Court was fined 20s. and 23s. costs for exposing for sale
certain unsound fruit. Three separate charges for exposing for sale, depositing for the purpose
of sale, and depositing for the purpose of preparation for sale respectively, were brought against
a butcher at the same Court, and fines of £3 and ,£1 1s. costs on each summons were imposed,
or one month's imprisonment. An itinerant ice-cream vendor was fined 2s. 6d., including costs,
at Clerkenwell Court for failing to exhibit name and address on barrow.

Q