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The Labelling of Food (No. 2) Order, 1944, S.R. & O. 1447, made
under the Emergency Powers (Defence) Regulations, was issued during
the year and when it comes into complete force in November, 1945,
should be of great value to Food and Drugs Authorities. Labels and
advertisements of foods will then have to indicate the true nature of
the ingredients and the presence of minerals and vitamins must be
disclosed as prescribed in the Order.
Standards have also been laid down (under Emergency Powers
(Defence) Regulations) for the following articles: self-raising flour,
shredded suet, baking powder and golden raising powder, jam,
marmalade, fruit curd and mincemeat. It is to be hoped that, in the
near future, legal standards will also be prescribed for other foods, for
which only trade and presumptive standards at present exist, e.g., ice
cream, vinegar, coffee essence, alcoholic drinks, pudding and dessert
mixtures, various essences, gelatine, etc. This will considerably ease
the burden at present falling upon the public, traders, Analysts, Local
Authorities, and Magistrates alike.
Rats and Mice (Destruction) Act, 1919.
Infestation Order, 1943.
No fewer than 588 complaints of rats and mice infestation were received
during the year ; this compares with an average annual number of 59
for the three years preceding the war. This large increase is primarily
due to the destruction or disturbance of houses, shops, underground
drains, and sewers caused by bombing. The continuation of the Ministry
of Food's publicity campaign has also doubtless contributed by urging
the public to become rat reporters.
The investigation of complaints is undertaken by the Sanitary
Inspectors and the actual operational work involved is carried out by
a full-time rat catcher. Certain firms and property owners employ their
own servicing companies, who act in conjunction with this Department.
Notices under the Act are served in cases where there is neglect to comply
with the Council directions, or where rat proofing of land or buildings has
to be carried out.
Six areas which were reported as being sources of " major infestation "
during the Survey of 1943 have been systematically dealt with. The
repeat complaints from these areas have been sporadic and isolated and
it can be stated with confidence that they are now reduced to areas of
" minor infestation." Further work will be undertaken as soon as
possible with a view to reducing still further the rodent population in
these areas.
The pre-baiting, poisoning, and post-baiting system advocated by the
Ministry of Food is used and has, on the whole, been very successful.
Householders have expressed particular satisfaction with the steps taken
for the eradication of mice, for which we use the following formula :
Zinc phosphide 5 parts by weight, oatmeal flour or wheat 95 parts by
weight.
Recovery of Expenditure from Private Parties.
This question is a most vexatious one and takes up a great deal of the
time of the Sanitary Inspectors. It must be remembered that it is still
the law of the land (and has been for the past 25 years) that the statutory