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52
PROTECTION OF FOOD SUPPLY.
This branch of Public Health work is undoubtedly
of great importance, necessitating not only regular
inspection of the street markets, but constant supervision
of premises where food is prepared in its various
stages for human consumption, as well as the taking
of samples to check adulteration.
Recent legislation has done much to ensure a
cleaner supply of meat being sold to the public.
Similar regulations are, however, very urgently
necessary in regard to articles of food other than meat.
One can only imagine the terrible condition of dates
and sweetmeats, at ordinary times sticky substances,
yet in the highest summer temperatures, these commodities
may be exposed for sale, unprotected from the
dust, dirt and flies common to any market place, and
sold to the unsuspecting purchaser with their full share
of the proverbial peck of dirt.
One spot in particular in the Borough, a railway
arch, where foodstuffs are daily exposed for sale,
remains to be dealt with in a drastic manner. On a
wet muggy day, fruit, fish and confectionery can be
seen displayed on the coster barrows in an atmosphere
reeking with smoke and steam, proceeding from
the railway engines passing under the roadway, and
such foods are also subject to the splashing of mud
and filth from vehicular and pedestrian traffic, passing
through Brick Lane. Such a state of things is utterly
contrary to the best interests of the public.
The other side of food inspection, that of the
detection of adulterated food, is of equal importance,
and successful working of the various food and drugs
acts requires tact, persistence and patience on the part
of the staff. Recent cases which have reached a
successful issue, reveal these essentials.