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The inspection of food exposed for sale, in storage and in
course of preparation and manufacture was under constant supervision. section 10, Food and Drugs Act 1938 empowered an authorised officer of a local authority to examine any food intended
for human consumption which had been sold, or was offered or exposed for sale, or was in the possession of or had been deposited
with or consisted to any person for the purpose of sale, or of
preparation for sale, and if it appeared to be unfit for human consumption he could seize it and remove it in order to have it dealt
with by a Justice of the Peace, section 9 of this Act provided that
any person who sold or offered or exposed for sale, or had in his
possession for the purpose of sale, or of preparation for sale, or
deposited or consigned to any person for the purpose of sale, or
of preparation for sale, any food intended for but unfit for human
consumption would be guilty of an offence. These sections are, of
course, re-enacted in the Food and Drugs Act 1955.
In two instances seizures of unsound food were made under section 10 of the Act. In one case sausage rolls were found to be unfit for human consumption and in the other, toffees and sweets had
been contaminated by mice and insects. In the latter, legal proceedings were taken and a penalty of £5 with £3 3.0. costs were imposed.
As distinct from the above, a quantity of unsound foods which
did not call for action under section 10 of the Food and Drugs Act
1938 was voluntarily surrendered. A list showing the foodstuffs and
the amount involved is given in the statistical supplement.