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40
Fish Shops.
Shops in which fish, either cooked or uncooked, is sold, or where
the curing or smoking of fish is carried on, are regularly inspected.
There were 53 such shops in the Borough in 1948. 273 inspections
were made, and 11 notices were served, mostly for minor matters which
were remedied without difficulty.
Restaurant Kitchens.
The number of restaurants and cafes (including fixed and mobile
stalls) on the register is 146. 356 inspections were made, and 8 notices
served for various defects.
It has become increasingly obvious that the conditions under which
much of the food is prepared in restaurants leave much to be desired,
and there is a growing recognition of the amount of illness caused by
the consumption of contaminated food. The Food and Drugs Act,
1938, lays down certain standards and requirements to be observed in
places where food is prepared, stored and sold, but its provisions are
necessarily in general terms, and it is evident that the average person
engaged in the handling of food has very little idea of the principles
underlying the production of clean food. Accordingly, towards the
end of the year, a survey of all restaurants, etc., in the Borough was
commenced, with a view to ascertaining the conditions existing, and
advising on ways and means of improving them. The question of
formulating a Code of Standards was also being considered.
Street Stalls.
All street stalls from which food for human consumption is sold
are regularly inspected and, where the food sold is stored in the Borough,
the storage places are also inspected. It was not found necessary to
take any formal action during the year.
Unsound Food.
The following table gives particulars of the unsound foodstuffs
which, under the provisions of the Public Health (London) Act, 1936,
Section 180 (8), were voluntarily surrendered to the Council. Most of
these foodstuffs were ultimately used for the manufacture of animal
feeding stuffs.
Fish (preserved) 3,648 tins
„ (fresh) 156 boxes, 1 bag, 205 lbs.
Meat and sausages (preserved) 2,385 tins
„ „ (fresh) 1,435 lbs.
Poultry 1,035 lbs.
Vegetables (preserved) 1,333 tins
,, (fresh) 20 boats, 12 boxes, 5 cwts. 18 lbs.
Fruit and fruit juices (preserved) 957 tins and iars
„ „ (fresh) 130 lbs., 1 box, 5 casks
Coconuts 4,200
Milk 14,206 tins
Eggs (shell) 1,599
„ (dried) 7 tins
Fats 48 tins, 10 ozs.
Suet 6½ lbs.