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81
SECTION E
Inspection of Food and Supervision of Food Premises
After the death of the Senior Food Inspector in July, 1954,
there was an inevitable curtailment of the less essential work under
this section until his replacement in November of the same year.
With the full complement of Food Inspectors, 1955 has seen a
return to more normal duties and working conditions.
Legislation.—Contrary to expectations, the Food & Drugs
Amendment Act, 1954, was not implemented during 1955, but the
current year witnessed the introduction of the new Food & Drugs
Act, 1955, and the Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955, both of which
had been eagerly awaited and which are to operate from the 1st
January, 1956.
Food & Drugs Act, 1955.—This Act consolidates the Food &
Drugs Act, 1938, the Food & Drugs (Milk, Dairies & Artificial
Cream) Act, 1950, and the Food & Drugs Amendment Act, 1954,
together with certain other enactments amending and supplementing
Part V of the said Act of 1938 in relation to Slaughterhouses
and Knackers' Yards.
The following notes indicate the more important changes
brought about by the new Act:—
(1) Account is now to be taken of probable cumulative effects
of consuming food injurious to health over a period.
(2) Removal of defences relating to patent and proprietary
medicines.
(3) Power is given to Inspectors to examine and detain containers
and vehicles, certain transport undertakings being
excepted.
(4) Disqualification for a period up to two years of caterer
convicted for serious contravention of Food Hygiene
Regulations.
(5) Modifications to procedure for registration of food premises,
including dairies.
(6) New definition of substitute creams.
(7) Changes in procedure for sampling and analysis.