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1926]
60
A section of the traders, through their Associations, sent a deputation to the
Public Health Committee to express their views. After hearing the deputation
and considering what they had put forward, the Committee decided that, (a) while
they appreciated the suggestions which had been made to them by the deputation,
after carefully considering the same, the Committee were of opinion that they
had no alternative but to administer the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924,
and that they would inform the deputations from the Associations accordingly ;
(b) that enquiry would be made as to how the regulations were being administered
in some of the other Boroughs; (c) that the Cleansing Committee of the Islington
Borough Council would be asked to consider what steps could be taken to prevent
the blowing of dust from the roads (this being one of the points raised by the
Deputation), and (d) that the Medical Officer of Health be authorised to continut
to take proceedings for infringements of the regulations.
From the observations of my department, I believe that the firm attitude
taken by the Public Health Committee in counteracting the growing laxity which
was at that time prevalent has fully justified itself, and that there is a decidedly
more earnest desire on the part of tradesmen to fulfil the spirit of the regulations.
SALE OF FOOD ORDER.—THE LABELLING OF EGGS.
The Order, which is a remnant of " Dora," has been renewed each year by
the Expiring Laws Acts. Its administration falls upon the Public Health Department.
The Order provides regarding eggs that " A person shall not sell or offer
or expose for sale, whether by wholesale or retail, as fresh eggs or new laid
eggs, or under any description of which the words " fresh " or "new laid " form
part, any eggs which have been imported into the United' Kingdom unless the
description also includes the word " imported " or word or words disclosing the
country of origin.
It will be noted that it is no offence under this Order to label foreign eggs
simply " English," omitting the words " fresh " or " new laid," and we have
known this to be done. The provisions are by no means easy to administer
owing to the difficulty of proof, and it would appear as if this Order, as far as it
relates to eggs, has been found to be unworkable by most authorities. I say this
with all due respect to those who have made some effort in endeavouring to have
foreign eggs correctly labelled in their areas. As far as one can judge from cases
reported' in the public Press, prosecutions regarding eggs under this Order are
very few.
A table is appended giving a summary of the egg prosecutions taken in the
Borough of Islington from 1922 to the end of the year under review.
It will be noted that 69 cases were taken, in 49 of which fines or fines and
costs were obtained ; another 17 resulted in costs alone being obtained. In addition
there were three cases, two of which were dismissed, and one dismissed but costs
allowed. As regards the fines and costs, the fines in the cases to date amounted
to "£.100 4s. Od.; the costs awarded £62 3s. 6d., and total fines and cost
£162 7s. 6d.
Some interesting points have come out through the proceedings taken. Three
of the cases were against wholesale dealers, as we refrained from taking action
against the retailer who had been misled in his purchases. In another case
a purchase was made of eggs which were unticketed, but the Inspector distinctly
asked for " new laid eggs," and no mention was made of the fact that the eggs