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27
CERTIFICATION OF CERTAIN FOOD PRODUCTS
FOR EXPORT TO THE DOMINIONS.
In view of the requirements of the Food Laws in operation
in the Dominions, the system of certification for food products
which are derived from the flesh of cattle, sheep, swine or
goats, or from game or poultry, and are prepared or packed
in England and Wales for export to the Dominions, has been
continued.
The Certifying Officer—usually the Medical Officer of
Health—is required to keep himself informed, by personal
inquiry and in other available ways, as to:—
(1) The sanitary condition, structure and character of premises on
which the food products are prepared, stored or packed, with
special regard to the possibility of contamination of the food
products at any stage.
(2) The cleanliness and wholesomeness of the methods employed in
preparing, storing or packing the food products.
(3) The precautions taken to avoid the utilisation for food purposes
of diseased, unsound or unwholesome material in any portion of
the premises; and arrangements for the safe disposal of any
material which, on account of disease, unsoundness, Hnwholesomeness,
or for any other reason, is unfit for human food.
In the case of products derived from cattle, sheep, swine, or goats,
the Certifying Officer muBt also satisfy himself that the animals from
which the products are prepared have been subjected to an ante-mortem
and post-mortem veterinary inspection and found free from disease and
suitable for human food.
Where the products are prepared from animals slaughtered in the
United Kingdom, the Certifying Officer before certifying as to Veterinary
examination must be satisfied:—
(а) That the animals were subjected to veterinary examination
mortem and post-mortem by an Officer of the Local Authority
for which he himself acts; or
(b) That the animals were slaughtered in a public abattoir under
official veterinary inspection;
or he must be furnished by the applicant with a declaration signed by a
qualified veterinary surgeon, appointed by the firm with the approval of
the Certifying Officer, to the effect that an ante-mortem and postmortem
examination was made by him and that the animals so examined
were found free from disease.
Where the products are prepared from material imported into the
United Kingdom from overseas, the Certifying Officer must satisfy himself
that the material was accompanied by a certificate as to ante-mortem
and post-mortem veterinary inspection signed by an Official of the
National Government of the country of origin, being a country whose
certificates the Authorities are prepared to accept.
If the information obtained by the Certifying Officer is not, in his
view, satisfactory, certification is to be withheld and the Certifying
Officer must inform the Ministry forthwith.
The Certifying Officer will supply the Ministry of Health with such
information as may be required in regard to the methods of inquiry, .
inspection and certification which have been adopted.