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required in the light of modern standards and whether it was
desirable to urge the Minister of Health to make regulations
under Section 8 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
The actual survey was completed "by 30th April, 1949;
two special visits were paid to each food establishment in the
"borough, and information was collected on the condition of the
premises and equipment and on the methods employed and the
standard of hygiene maintained in the handling of food. One
thousand one hundred and ninety-two establishments were
surveyed, that is, almost all the food establishments in the
borough, besides visits to street stalls.
At the first visit a general survey of the establishment
was carried out and a suitable record form was completed. At
the second, which took place in most cases after an interval
of several months, further information was obtained with
particular reference to the standard of hygiene in handling
food rather than to structural conditions. The data obtained
were collated and, as far as possible, put in standardised
form.
The aim was to secure as much information as possible
at each visit and to leave time, after the inspection, for
discussion with the person in charge of the establishment;
this was important and exacting work, for which unhurried
visits were essential. By this means the inspectors were
able to impart a considerable amount of information and advice
on the measures necessary to ensure clean food. In addition,
many visits were necessary to follow up 663 notices which were
served for contraventions of Section 13 of the Food and Drugs
Act, 1938, Section 10 of the Shops Act, 1934, or Section 82
of the public Health (London) Act, 1936.
Appreciation must be expressed of the spirit of helpfulness
and co-operation shown by the proprietors of all the
different kinds of establishments and their staffs. It is
gratifying to record that of the 663 notices served, 575 had
been complied with by the end of the year.
The results of the inspections were carefully analysed
and collated, and a study of the information indicated the
desirability of additional legislation requiring the
registration with local authorities, of all premises where
food is prepared, sold, or stored for the purposes of sale
and of the proprietors or persons in charge of the premises.
If such power were granted, each local authority could take
into account local conditions in deciding desirable and
practicable requirements and would be in a stronger position
than at present to secure the observance of satisfactory food
handling procedure. Another desideratum indicated was the
formulation of detailed hygiene requirements for food shops
suited to local conditions. Such requirements can be embodied
partly in byelaws made under Section 15 of the Food and Drugs
Act, 1938, and partly in locally agreed "Codes of Practice".
The increased interest and more active public opinion,
which are now apparent, make this the right time to press
forward with health education in matters relating to food,
directed both to those in the food trade and to the public
generally. A voluntary organisation of food traders, in
collaboration with the Council, would be of great value in
advising upon the most effective means of promoting clean food
handling. It would also foster mutual understanding between
the Council and those working in food establishments.