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88
PROTECTION OF FOOD SUPPLY.
Public Health activities for the protection of the
food supply take three forms: (i) Supervision of
premises where food is prepared or sold, to ensure
cleanliness; (ii) Examining food as to its soundness;
and (iii) Sampling food to ascertain its composition
and quality.
The public standard of hygiene in food premises
is steadily rising though it is still behind that of the
United States and Australia. Much 1mprovement has
been effected in the milk and meat trades by the special
regulations which apply to these commodities, but
groceries, provisions, confectionery and bread are unprotected
by such regulations. The existing law is
carefully administered. Milkshops, cowsheds, bakehouses,
butchers' shops, fish shops, slaughterhouses and
other food premises are inspected fairly frequently, and
any unsatisfactory conditions found are at once dealt
with. Further advance could be made by housewives
protesting at any food trader or employee who is dirty
in his person or habits or who allows his food to be
contaminated by flies, dust, etc.
The protect1on of food from unsoundness is another
matter in which our food traders, although improving,
are less progressive than their colleagues in America.
The more extended use of refrigeration and improved
vent1iation and cleanliness would greatly reduce the
deterioration of food.
The efficient administration of the Food and Drugs
Acts, including the restrictions on the use of preservatives,
calls for great experience and zeal. With the
introduction of greater and greater technical skill in the
preparation and packing of foodstuffs, the steps necessary
to secure the observance of the law become more complicated.
Advertising and labelling are important