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This high bacterial count may arise from several causes, such
as the ingredients not being pure; improper conditions of manufacture;
dirty utensils; the indifference to the importance of
personal cleanliness, and the mixing of stale unsold ice cream with
a fresh manufacture.
Although a large quantity of this article is made in properly
equipped factories and retailed by reputable vendors, yet there is
an appreciable amount manufactured and handled by confectioners
and other small traders.
In addition to these two types of traders there are a number
of persons who do not regularly engage in the business, but only
manufacture and sell ice cream on warm days, Bank Holidays
and at the week-end.
It is with these casual makers and vendors where the danger
lies, inasmuch as the ice cream sold by them may be manufactured
under unsatisfactory conditions and by people whose lack of
personal cleanliness may give rise to dangerous contamination of
this commodity.
Many of these people are, of course, known to the Sanitary
Inspectors, and can be dealt with under the existing powers for
infringements, but there remains a small percentage who escape
the notice of the Public Health officer and consequently are not
subject to routine inspection.
The existing powers in London for controlling this business,
viz., the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and the London
County Council (General Powers) Acts, 1902 and 1908, would
appear, for the reasons stated above, to be insufficient for the
purpose of adequately safeguarding the public, and in my opinion
the compulsory registration of manufacturers and vendors of ice
cream and the premises where this commodity is manufactured,
stored or sold, is urgently required.
During the year there were 346 premises known in the
Borough where ice cream was manufactured or sold. The
inspections numbered 486.
Butter, Margarine, etc., Premises.
At the end of the year there were 31 dealers in margarine on
the register The registration of wholesale margarine dealers is
required by Section 9 of the Margarine Act, 1887, as extended by
Section 7 of the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1899,
Fried Fish Shops.
There are 71 fried fish shops on the register. These premises
were inspected to see that they were kept in conformity with the
By-laws made by the London County Council.