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39
in this and other cases was received badly. This is simply mentioned as an instance
of disregard of an obvious precautionary essential.
I have seen men stretching over uncovered meat to reach the front of the cart,
and in exceptional cases have seen them with their feet on it. I have also noticed,
at times, meat soiled with roadway dirt.
As regards the transfer of meat from the stalls to the cart, I take exception
to the infrequency of change of overalls by the porters, and to meat being carried
on a man's head when he is wearing a cap which has done duty for weeks without
being washed.
Meat is not allowed to be placed on the floor of the stalls inside the market,
and practically every trader has slightly raised wooden benches. There are no
such facilities outside the market, nor are there any powers to require them to
be provided.
It seems strange that whilst in the slaughterhouses due regard must be paid
to the observance of cleanliness, and in the markets the traders recognise the
advantage of cleanliness and order, and further that butchers at their shops
encourage brightness and cleanliness as is evidenced by good lighting, clean benches,
bright brass and steel fittings, and clean-looking tiles to line the shop, so little
regard should be paid to the elementary rules of cleanliness in the interval which
elapses between purchase from the wholesale dealer and the reception of the meat
at the shop.
I beg to repeat the recommendations which I have previously made:—
1. Carts and vans used for the removal of meat should be thoroughly cleansed after use.
2. When used for the removal of meat, the floor of the vehicle should be covered with some
suitable washable material, preferably white or grey in colour. Straw is an unsuitable
material to use unless covered with some suitable fabric.
3. A clean cloth should be used to protect the meat from coming into contact with the sides
of the cart, and also to cover the top of the consignment.
4. The surface of the meat should not come into direct contact with any tarpaulin, and
tarpaulins should be kept in as cleanly a state as possible.
5. No driver should be allowed to sit on the consignment of meat even if the meat is adequately
covered.
6. The various joints of meat should, as far as may be practicable, be covered on the cut
section with grease-proof paper.
7. It would be an advantage if sides of beef were covered with a layer of some material similar
to that used for imported meat. This would avoid soiling by the clothing of porters,
who cannot prevent their overalls being fouled in the course of a morning's work.
8. In the transfer of meat from the stalls to the vans, meat should not be allowed to rest on
the uncovered head of the porter, nor on the cap which he regularly wears. A washable
head-cover should be used by those men who have to carry such large amounts that the
meat must touch the uncovered head.
9. Meat should not be placed on the ground whilst waiting to be packed in the cart, even
though a covering has been first put down to receive it.
10. Wet offal should not be placed in contact with quarters, sides; or other portions of meat
without adequate protection against soiling by the moisture exuding from the offal.
The subject is one, which in my opinion, is worthy of careful consideration
as it is obviously desirable that the handling of meat in course of transit should
be subject to some form of approved regulations.
In January of 1919, the Sanitary Committee again considered the reports
of the Medical Officer of Health dated 27th April, 1915, and 25th March, 1916, on the
subject, and after careful consideration and in view of Section 1 of the Public
Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, which confers on the Local Government
Board "the power of making regulations authorising measures to be taken for
the prevention of danger arising to public health from the importation, preparation,
storage, and distribution of articles of food or drink (other than drugs or water)
intended for human consumption," decided to recommend the Court of Common
Council to approach the Local Government Board on the matter. Accordingly
the Court of Common Council on the 6th February passed a resolution that the
Local Government Board be asked to make regulations with regard to the handling
and conveyance of meat through the streets.
Although there does not appear to be any concrete results from this representation,
which, I believe, was one of several on the subject sent to the Government
by Local Authorities, I am informed that the whole question of the transport
and handling of meat is under the consideration of the Ministry of Health.