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16
FOOD AND DRUGS
A full-time Food Inspector is employed in the supervision of food and
food premises. Food samples are normally sent for analysis to the
Public Analyst but following the provision of laboratory facilities at the
Park Hospital by the Public Health Laboratory Service towards the end
of the year samples of milk and ice cream are sent to the latter laboratory
for bacteriological and allied examination. Further details of the latter
laboratory will be found in Section " G."
Details of the work of the Food Inspector will be found in the Appendix,
Table V, and the Report of the Public Analyst is included at the end of
this Section.
Royal Victoria Yard
Following the cessation of hostilities and the reduction of naval establishments,
particularly in the Far East very large quantities of food, mainly
dried, preserved or tinned, were returned to the Royal Victoria Yard from
ships and other establishments of the Royal Navy. Considerable quantities
of this food have been examined at the request of the Admiralty,
much of it being considered unfit for further prolonged storage and
examination being necessary to assess its fitness for release to the public.
Ice Cream
Some improvement was made throughout the year in the conditions
under which ice cream is made and handled in the Borough. Traders
have in general been co-operative in improving standards, and the
bacteriological purity has improved although there is still room for further
progress. Makers who agreed to a minimum fat content of 2½ per cent in
the ice cream were given an extra allocation of certain raw materials and
it has been found that the actual content of fat in most samples of ice
cream is in the region of 10 per cent.
During the year 35 samples were sent for bacteriological examination
and 10 samples for chemical analysis. It is hoped to increase the number
of samples in subsequent years.
Labelling of Food Order, 1946
All pre-packed samples of food submitted under the Food and Drugs
Act were considered also under the Labelling of Food Order, 1946. In
53 instances, separate Certificates of Analysis were issued for this reason.
Several slight infringements were dealt with by correspondence.
Pharmacy and Medicines Act, 1941
All pre-packed drugs submitted under the Food and Drugs Act were
also considered under the Pharmacy and Medicines Act, 1941. In 5
instances, separate reports were received.
Food Standards
Foity six samples were specially examined under the various Food
Standard Orders. In one or two instances correspondence with the manufacturers
produced improved products.