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77
[1930
were not for sale, only given away as prizes. It transpired from the cross-questioning
of an attendant that apart from this complaint we had received, someone
else had also complained. A thorough examination was made of the whole of the
stock of chocolates, with the result that 251 of the boxes were found to be unsound.
In the circumstances, as they had not been sold and no chocolates were being sold
from the stall, action could not be taken under the Public Health (London) Act,
1891, as the chocolates could not be considered as exposed or deposited for sale
under section 17. The unsound chocolates, 251 boxes, weighing 3 qrs. 13 lbs.,
were surrendered and destroyed. It was stated by the owners that they had not
examined them recently to see if they were all right, and an excuse was made that
they had been stored in a cellar at a seaside place. The fact that no apparent
investigation was made, even when as we ascertained a complaint had been made,
showed that the stall attendant, if not actually the owner, had been, to say the
least, indifferent.
Cases have been known, I believe, in other towns where " unsound " shellfish
from a polluted source have been given away to customers and no action could be
taken as the particular shellfish were not sold. This is even more dangerous than
chocolates, but even mouldy chocolates are injurious, especially to children.
The matter latterly has come before the Standing Joint Committee of the
Metropolitan Borough Councils.
Shops, etc., Inspection of.—The 762 shops and places where foodstuffs
are sold may be approximated for the year as follows :—
Butchers, provision dealers, etc., shops, 256; meat, provisions, rabbits, tinned
foods, etc., stalls, 30; food preparation establishments, 12; fish shops, 115; fish
stalls, 14; fruit shops, 225; and about 110 fruit, etc., stalls and barrows, including
stalls in the Metropolitan Cattle Market inspected on Tuesdays and Fridays. To
these 27,514 visits were paid, apportioned as follows :—
Butchers, Provision Dealers, etc., Shops 9,232 visits
Food Preparation Establishments 145 ,,
Butcher, Provision, etc., Stalls 2,879 ,,
Fish Shops 1,599 ,,
Fish Stalls 1,200 ,,
Fruit Shops 2,839 ,,
Fruit Stalls 9,620 ,,
Total 27,514 „
Offensive Trades include 4 tripe dressers, 4 gut scrapers, 4 fur skin
dressers, and Knackers' Yard, which received a total of 73 visits. There was no
cause for complaint in the conduct of the business carried on in them.