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SUPERVISION OF FOOD
The following legislation introduced during the year had the effect as indicated:
1. Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966
These come into force on the 1st January, 1967.
2. Salad Cream Regulations, 1966
These deal with compositional requirements, labelling and advertisements.
3. Mineral Hydrocarbons in Pood Regulations 1966
These deal with the new tests for hydrocarbons in certain foods.
4. Butter Regulations, 1966
These deal with compositional requirements, labelling and advertisements.
5. Colouring Matter in Pood Regulations, 1966
These are revised Regulations which become operative on the 26th June, 1967.
6. The Slaughterhouses (Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations, 1966
These deal inter alia with lairages and wiping cloths.
7. The Meat Inspection (Amendment) Regulations, 1966
Operative from the 30th September, 1966, these Regulations prohibit the use of
green ink for inspection in marking stamps. Local authorities are enabled to
restrict the hours of slaughtering in private slaughterhouses.
Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960
The work required under this important legislation was still being seriously
hampered by the shortage of staff in the Department. It was impossible to introduce a
satisfactory system of routine inspection and. generally, only matters of prior
importance were investigated.
Owing to the number of different nationalities engaged in food distribution and
preparation, difficulty was experienced in maintaining satisfactory supervision.
The most efficient way to deal with this problem was found to be by educating
food handlers at their premises in hygienic practices relative to their various types
of business. The chief problem was lack of appreciation of the need for cleanliness
in the handling of food intended for human consumption.
Some progress was made with new food businesses. Constant visiting and
explanation resulted in these businesses being opened in a comparatively satisfactory
condition; but regular supervision was necessary to ensure that the standard was
maintained.
A system of licensing or registration of food businesses would assist in
securing a higher standard of cleanliness in food handling and preparation in the
Borough.
Food Factories
A total of 103 visits was paid to the food factories in the Borough b.y the
inspectors concerned. Action was taken where necessary to enforce compliance with
the Pood Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960 and other relevant legislation.
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