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Chemical
In order that an overall check could be kept on foods sold within the Borough, food was purchased as
the housewife would buy it and submitted to the Public Analyst. Figures for 1972 are as follows:-
Informal Purchases - 720 Adverse - 38
Formal Samples - 6 Adverse - 2
Of the adverse reports, 25 related to labelling deficiencies. As there is an ever-increasing demand
that the purchaser should know exactly what he is buying, the following-up of labelling deficiencies is an
important although time-consuming part of the work. In some cases, the deficiencies are of a relatively
minor nature, but in most cases the company concerned makes provision to amend the label. This cooperation
avoids the necessity of legal proceedings.
It is anticipated that the new Labelling of Food Regulations 1970, which come into operation on 1st
January, 1973, will occupy considerably more time as the labelling laws become more comprehensive.
Throughout the year, the public health inspectors have continued to monitor the residual insecticide
levels in foods. Twelve samples were taken during the year specifically for this purpose and inspectors endeavoured
to sample those foods which were in season at the time of sampling.
The samples taken were tomatoes (2), leeks, bananas, ortaniques, spring greens, dutch butter, apples,
peaches, pears, brazil nuts and chestnuts. In some cases, no pesticide residue at all was discernible, in others
it was barely detectable, but in no case was the level approaching the reporting limit for the National
Survey for Pesticide Residues.
STREET MARKETS
Routine inspections of the three main street markets in the borough continued throughout the year,
and although no particular progress can be reported, the standard appeared to be constant. The general
look of the market areas, however, continues to be poor as a result of the considerable accumulation of
refuse. These routine inspections continued on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year.
The 'hot dog' stalls which trade in the vicinity of the Arsenal Stadium were inspected and, on one
occasion, with the co-operation of the police, offending street traders were arrested and appeared before a
stipendiary magistrate. As far as food hygiene requirements were concerned, the standard of the stalls was
better than when similar action took place last year. Of the 18 stalls inspected, only four were found to
contravene the regulations to any marked degree and, of these, one was found to be operated by a juvenile.
In this case, it was not possible to proceed with the offences immediately, but the Police Juvenile Branch
took the matter over. The food trader concerned was eventually cautioned in the presence of his parents at
the police station near his home. The three other traders were charged with a total of eight offences and
fines totalling £24 were imposed on six of these charges. One of the remaining two was dismissed and in the
other case the food handler was conditionally discharged for one year.
In addition to inspections of the stalls outside the ground, those inside the Arsenal Stadium were
also inspected as were the bars, snack bars and restaurants.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Public health inspectors in the special services section are always available to give talks to interested
organisations and groups on their work. During 1972 talks were given to groups of butchery managers and
trainees, students of dietetics and home economics, food handlers and housewives.
In some cases the lectures have been of a very specialised nature but considerable interest has been
shown in the routine duties of a public health inspector engaged in food inspection.
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