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62
Probably the most important and valuable means adopted of improving
standards has been by the personal influence and persuasion backed
where necessary by legal sanctions of the Inspectors. This, however,
is very time consuming and as already stated shortage of staff has
prevented greater efforts of this nature.
The pathological laboratory has been used for many examinations
of food apart from occasions when particular food has been suspected
as a cause of food poisoning.
Generally speaking I am satisfied that the standard of food
hygiene in the Borough has not compared unfavourably with that of
other districts of a similar type, but it is nevertheless necessary to
point out that the standard is far below that which ought to prevail,
not only to prevent the spread of diseases the dangers of which may at
times have been exaggerated, but also to inculcate an all round higher
conception of the value of cleanliness in our daily lives. The
trades concerned are more and more realizing not only their legal and
moral obligations but also the advantages in adopting a higher standard,
but they have been confronted with many difficulties such as restriction
of capital, delays in getting structural improvements
carried out and shortage of labour and indifference on the part of
employees.
Adulteration of Food
Throughout the period since the war now under review the examination
of samples of food and drugs has been continued The proportion
of samples not reported on as genuine has been very low in every year.
namely about one per cent which contrasts strikingly with that of from
1 to 3 per cent in the years before the war and even more so with that
of 5 to 10 per cent before 1920 The public may be well satisfied
that on the whole these commodities are of the standard of quality
claimed for them by vendors or expected by the ordinary purchaser
The policy of informal sampling extended during the war has been
continued. This method is fully justified as long as only an occasional
sample is found to be adulterated when this occurs a further
formal sample is immediately taken when this is again found to be
adulterated appropriate action, including legal proceedings if necessary,
is taken by the Council. By taking informal samples traders
are not disturbed by the formalities associated with formal sampling
and much time is saved. The sampling is carried out by one of the
Food Inspectors with the assistance of a part-time agent. The
samples for chemical analysis are submitted to the Public Analyst
whose office and laboratory is conveniently situated in the Town Hall.