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41
Margarine.
The registration with the local Food and Drugs Authority of wholesale margarine dealers
was required by Section 9 of the Margarine Act, 1887, as extended by Section 7 of the Sale
of Food and Drugs Act, 1899. Under this Section every wholesale dealer in margarine was
required to keep a register showing the quantity and destination of each consignment and the
register is open to inspection by any officer of the Board of Agriculture. The Local Authority
has no power to refuse registration or to set up any standard of requirements before effecting
such registration. The provision is continued by Section 8 of the Food and Drugs
(Adulteration) Act, 1928,
There arc five registered dealers in the Borough.
Margarine is one of the chief articles of fatty food eaten by the poorer part of the
community; it is therefore highly desirable that this substitute for butter should be brought
up to the same standard of vitamin potency as butter. Until this is done the menace of
health arising from the continual and ever increasing substitution of butter by margarine
will remain serious.
Bakehouses.
At the end of the year 1929 there were 25 bakehouses in the Borough of which
18 were factory bakehouses. Although these are described as "factories" they
are not large and only supply local needs; a number were formerly workshops and
are now classified as " factories " owing to the installation of machinery.
During the year, in addition to my inspections, there were 39 inspections of
bakehouses.
Sale of Fish.
During the past year 68 inspections were made of the fish shops and fish
stalls in the Borough, exclusive of market street inspections. There were 10 fish
shops of which five were in the Central Fish Market (a part of the Smithfield
Central Markets, Farringdon Road, the fish being sold by retail). Both wet and
dried fish were found to be sold at all the shops; at five, shell fish was also sold.
In one instance only, a small quantity of fish was smoked on the premises. In
addition to the shops referred to above, there are five stalls in the Borough for the
general sale of fish. There is also a shop in the Borough for the sale of shell fish
only and two for the sale of stewed eels. These premises were also kept under
observation.
A practice which there is reason to believe is becoming more common is that
of dyeing dried fish to a colour likely to mislead a customer as to the exact nature
of the fish purchased. Examination of samples of such coloured fish has
shown that the colouring matter is not harmful and its use is not contrary
to the Regulations. Nevertheless the practice cannot be regarded as
commendable, and is certainly not one likely to be to the advantage of
the consumer.
Fried Fish Shops.
There are also 11 fried fish shops. These are regularly inspected to see that
they are kept in conformity with the by-laws made by the London County Council.
During the past year 228 inspections of these premises were made. At the same
time a careful look-out has been kept on the soundness of the fish and the
wholesomeness of the materials used in frying. During the year a sample of
fried fish submitted to the Borough Analyst for examination was found to be
" genuine.''