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Unsound food
Seizure
Under Part 1 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955. it is an offence
to sell, offer, or expose for sale, or to be in possession for the purpose
of sale or preparation for sale, food intended for human consumption which
is in an unfit condition Such food can be seized and taken before a
Justice of the Peace who can condemn it, and order it to be destroyed or
disposed of for purposes other than human consumption.
During 1957 there were two occasions when it was found necessary
to enforce this procedure.
One was in the case of a grocers shop. The premises were very
congested, with little space to stand, there being no orderly method of
storage of food. Altogether 18-cwt. of foodstuffs comprising canned goods,
butter, margarine, tins of biscuits, packets and bottles of sweets, etc.,
were moved from the premises and taken before a Justice of the Peace who
condemned it as being unfit for human consumption and ordered it to be
destroyed. Most of the food appeared not to have been disturbed for a
considerable time and was unfit by reason of the rusty and perforated
condition of the tins, and the mouldy and general unfit condition of the
food.
Legal proceedings were instituted, and on a plea of not guilty
the occupier of the shop was discharged conditionally for twelve months.
The other case was a grocery and delicatessen shop found to be
in an unsatisfactory condition. The floors, shelves and utensils were
dirty and there was evidence of mice infestation. A tray containing a
quantity of bread crumbs was found to be contaminated with mice faeces.
The bread crumbs were seized and taken before a Justice of the
Peace, who gave the necessary order for them to be condemned and destroyed.
Legal proceedings were instituted against the occupier of the
food premises, and upon conviction he was fined £20 plus 10s. 6d. costs.
Surrender
Any person having in his possession food which is diseased, unsound,
or unfit for human consumption can, under Section 180(8) of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1956, surrender it to the Council for destruction or other
suitable method of disposal.