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29
Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
These Regulations, most of which came into operation on 1st
January, 1956, modified and extended the hygiene requirements of
Section 13 of the Pood and Drugs Act, 1938, and included a number of
provisions affecting stalls and vehicles and also certain general
requirements that apply wherever food is handled. The Regulations
apply whether or not there is any question of sale. They apply to
the supply of food in the course of a business, which includes
canteens, clubs, schools and other institutions as well as undertakings
carried on by public and local authorities.
The principal extensions of the previous law relate to the
following:-
(i) Specific requirements designed to prevent the contamination
of food.
(ii) Provision of sinks and other facilities for washing food
and equipment.
(iii) The provision of a constant supply of hot water for sinks,
wash basins, etc., in food premises and of a supply of
hot water on stalls and vehicles.
(iv) Restrictions on the preparation and packing of food in
or about domestic premises.
(v) The conditions under which certain foods that provide a
particularly favourable medium for food poisoning organisms
are to be kept in food premises.
(vi) The requirement to provide vehicles used for the transport
of meat with duckboards and separate receptacles for offal,
and, where the vehicles are not enclosed, a covering
supported by a frame or poles.
(vii) The circumstances in which persons carrying meat are
required to wear overalls and head coverings.
The attention of all food traders in the Borough was directed
to the coming into operation of the Pood Hygiene Regulations and
they were provided with a summary of some of the main provisions.
They were also advised to obtain a copy of the Regulations so as to
be fully aware of their obligations.
In applying the Regulations during the year, many desirable
improvements were obtained without recourse to official action but
it was necessary on 23 occasions to serve notices for non-compliance
with various requirements.