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29
When the Factory & Workshops Act, 1901 came into force
there were no less than 40 basement bakehouses operating in the
Boroughs This number was reduced to 22 after the passing of
the 1901 Act and to 7 by the time the present Factories Act came
into force. Now there remains only one basement bakehouse
continuing in operation in Hampstead, viz. 7. Fairhazel Gardens.
Catering Hygiene at Hampstead Heath Fairsa As usual, the Public
Health Inspectors were on duty throughout each Fair day.
Every food stall was checked in relation to the
requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations. In the main,
"open" food was being adequately protected by cellophane
wrappings and plastic covers and the stalls were closed on the
sides, top and back. "Washing-up" facilities were provided and
most retailers had a supply of sterilising agent. Some of the
shellfish stalls now use plastic non-reusable "plates", a
practice we have been advocating for some time. Similar types
of drinking beaker were also in use.
Hand-washing facilities comprising a bowl, hand or
roller towels, a scrubbing brush and soap were provided at all
the stalls. Heating was usually by primus stove or calor gas;
some traders had lagged storage tanks which were periodically
replenished with hot water from a central supply.
Samples for both chemical and bacteriological purposes
are regularly taken. The co-operation of the Fishmongers Company
was enlisted in connection with contaminated shellfish samples.
A large supply of coconuts (nearly 3,000) was condemned
as unfit at the Easter Fair.
The general tendency towards standardisation in
foodstuffs is increasingly apparent and investigation of all the
"hot dog" and hamburger stalls revealed that only two brands of
Frankfurter sausage were in use. Similarly, the variety of ice
cream is steadily decreasing and the bulk of ice cream consumed
could be traced to three manufacturers.
Apart from picking out isolated improvements, it is
clear that the greatest benefit from our work at the Fair is the
fact that we do it. As one stallholder said "When we come to
Hampstead, we know that the Inspectors will be round".