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1938 76
The food destroyed or otherwise disposed of so as to prevent its use for human
consumption was as follows:—
Tons.
Cwts.
Qtrs.
Lbs.
Diseased Meat, including organs from slaughterhouses (surrendered)
-
6
2
9½
Meat and Tinned Food from shops and stalls (surrendered)
—
2
1
6½
Fish from shops, fishmongers and fryers (surrendered)
—
1
3
2
Fruit and Vegetables (surrendered)
—
16
3
8
Fruit (seized)
—
8
2
26
Confectionery and other commodities (surrendered)
—
—
—
19½
Confectionery (seized)
—
—
—
3½
Total
1
16
1
19
UNSOUND FOOD.
It is difficult to imagine an occurrence that would cause greater concern to an
individual than, having consumed part of a steak and kidney pie, to find portions of a
mouse in the remainder. Part of the offending pie was left at the Public Health Office
with no comment other than the address of the sender and on examination a foot of a
mouse was found amongst the meat and a tail was seen lying across the top crust,
one end embedded in the pastry. Enquiries were made and the manufacturer ascertained
to be outside the Borough, and the local inspector reported satisfactory conditions.
There must have been a lack of supervision in the preparation of the pie as
the tail could have been seen on top of the crust from the time the pie entered the
oven, yet it was not discovered until examined in this office on the morning after the
pie was brought to the Town Hall.
Complaints were received of insect infestation of bread rolls and pearl barley.
The particular food was brought to the department. The insects infesting the bread
were identified as the common red ant or Pharaoh's ant. The bakehouse was
thoroughly inspected but found to be in a satisfactory state of cleanliness. The pearl
barley was infested with Grain Weevil or Calandra Granaria, and as it had been
purchased outside the Borough the information was conveyed to the Authority
concerned.
On three occasions chocolates infested with the larvae of the dried fruit moth
or Plodia Interpunctella were seized and condemned by a magistrate. After further
investigations had been made the wholesale firms were invited to a conference at the
Town Hall when the various representatives of the firms expressed readiness to
co-operate with the local authorities by issuing pamphlets to the retailers on the
methods of preventing infestation of their goods.
Nearly 1,000 lbs. of unsound oranges were seized at Caledonian Market and
proceedings were authorised by the Public Health Committee; the case, however,
did not appear before the Court during the period under review.
Food Inspection.—The number of visits made to shops, etc., were as follows:—
Butchers, Provision Dealers, etc., shops 2,060
Meat, etc., Preparation Factories 51
Fish Shops 347
Fruit Shops 1,475
Markets 232
Stalls 509
Offensive Trades 84
Total 4,758