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45
Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924. Meat inspection is carried
out by the Sanitary Inspectors. Arrangements have been made whereby
adequate notice of the time of slaughter is obtained. In 1926, the number
of animals inspected at the time of slaughter was 574 (309 pigs, 250
sheep, and 15 bullocks and calves). No application for the marking of
meat under the Regulations has been received.
Instructions under the Regulations have been formulated to deal with
stalls, shops, stores and vehicles. These have been approved by the
Council and circulated amongst traders concerned. No meat stalls
exist in the Borough at the present time.
A deputation of the local Butchers Association has also been received
and improvement has already taken place in the conditions under which
meat is stored, exposed for sale and transported.
Unsound Food. On four occasions during the year unsound food was
surrendered and destroyed. Included in the food surrendered was:—
1 bag of Mussels, 1 box of Kippers, 5 cases of Condensed Milk and 1 case
of eggs. The number of carcases destroyed on account of Tuberculosis
was two—both pigs.
Food Poisoning. No cases of food poisoning were brought to the
notice of the Department during the year.
Sale of Food and Drugs Acts. Four hundred and seven samples,
including 156 samples of milk and six samples of cream, were taken and
submitted for analysis during 1926. These samples were investigated by
the Public Analyst to the Borough, Mr. B. H. Gerrans, F.I.C., whose
Report is set out in the appendix.
Each of the three male Sanitary Inspectors is appointed an Inspector
under the Acts. Under their direction, the taking of samples is effected
by individuals temporarily employed for the purpose, the services of
persons outside the Borough being frequently utilised.
The samples procured are of two kinds—formal and informal. Formal
samples are those taken strictly in conformity with the Sale of Food and
Drugs Act, 1875. Informal samples are those taken without these
strict formalities and afford useful indication of the conditions without
disclosing to the vendor that the object of purchase is analysis.
No legal proceedings are possible in respect of an informal sample, but,
when adulteration is discovered, formal samples are obtained immediately
and necessary action taken on receipt of the analytical report regarding
them.
In 1926, four samples of milk and one sample of vinegar were found
adulterated to such a degree as to justify legal proceedings. These
proceedings were instituted and four convictions were obtained. Details
of these prosecutions are given in Table No. 26.