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food supervision.
The number of persons working in bakehouses was 322, including 11 women and 26 individuals
under the age of 18 years. The bakehouses were inspected on 730 occasions during the year.
Duplicate certificates under Section 101 of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, were issued
with respect to the following underground bakehouses, which were found on inspection to comply
with the requirements laid down with respect to underground bakehouses : Edgware Road, No. 401;
Herries Street, No. 62; London Street, No. 9; and Norfolk Road, No. 3.
FOOD SUPERVISION.
Slaughterhouses.—There are 4 slaughterhouses in the Borough, but at one of them very little
killing is done. The Food Inspector reported that 1,103 animals were slaughtered during the year, 53
being bullocks and 1,050 sheep. During the five years before the war (1909-13) the number of animals
killed within the Borough averaged 4,434 per annum, nearly four times the number recorded last year.
In 1922 the total was 2,087, nearly double that of 1923.
The Inspector visited the slaughterhouses on 163 occasions. The lungs, liver, heart and mesentery
of one bullock were destroyed on account of tuberculosis, and the liver of one sheep on account of
parasitic infestation.
In March of last year the County Council made a Bye-law under Sec. 19 (4) of the Public Health
(London) Act, 1891, prohibiting the slaughter of any animal until it had been stunned " with a mechanically
operated instrument sufficient and suitable for the purpose." The Bye-law so far as sheep are
concerned was not to become operative until three months after the date of confirmation of the Bye-law
by the Minister of Health. The Bye-law is not to affect—"if no unnecessary suffering is inflicted"—
slaughtering according to the Jewish ritual of animals intended for food of Jews. The Minister of
Health confirmed the Bye-law on December 7th.
Food Purveyors.—There were 350 shop premises at which foodstuffs other than milk were sold
during the year, 6 premises where fish was cured, and 12 where sausages were made. The Inspector
visited these premises 776 times during the year, roughly once each half-year.
Milk Trade.—There were on the Register 95 premises for the sale of milk, 3 being wholesalers'.
There were 8 changes of proprietorship of retail premises. Only 1 cowshed (3 or 4 cows) now exists in
the Borough. All the places where milk is sold are visited at least once a quarter, and each year a
reprint of the Bye-laws, etc., regulating the sale of milk is left with each registered milk vendor.
There was 1 case of scarlet fever at a milkshop, 11 cases of diphtheria, and 6 of scarlet fever in
houses where milk roundsmen working in the Borough resided, and 3 of scarlet fever in houses where
roundsmen working in other districts lived. Every precaution was taken in each instance and no
untoward consequences have to be reported.
Condensed Milk.—Regulations for controlling the quality of condensed milk were made in May
last by the Minister of Health under Sec. 8 of the Milk & Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, which were
to come into operation on October 1st, subsequently postponed to January 1st, 1924. The regulations
are to be enforced , as regards sale in this country, by the local authorities and, as regards importation,
by the Commissioners of Customs & Excise. The regulations recognise two grades of condensed milk,
viz., "full cream" and "skimmed (or machine skimmed)" either of which may be "sweetened" or
" unsweetened." " Full, cream " condensed milk must contain not less than 9 per cent. of milk fat
and 31 per cent. of milk solids (including fat), while for " skimmed milk " the only standard is one of
not less than 20 per cent. (26 per cent. if sweetened) of milk solids, including fat. Four forms of label
are prescribed as to size of type, wording, etc. The equivalent (in pints) of the milk (of the same
grade as the condensed milk), which can be made from the contents of the tin is to be stated on the
label. "Skimmed milks " are to be clearly marked—on the prescribed label—"unfit for babies."
Dried Milk.—In November last the " Public Health (Dried Milk) Regulations, 1923," were made
by the Minister of Health under Sec. 8 of the Milk & Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922, to come into
operation 1st May, 1924. Under those regulations dried milk may be sold as "Dried Full Cream
Milk," containing not less than 26 per cent. of milk fat; "Dried Partly Skimmed Milk (-Cream),"
either three-quarter cream, not less than 20 per cent. of fat, or half cream, 14 per cent. of fat, or
quarter cream, 8 per cent.; or "Dried Machine-skimmed Milk or Dried Skimmed Milk," for which no
standard of percentage of fat is laid down. Packets for retail sale are to indicate the equivalent
quantity (in pints) of "full" "partly skimmed" or "skimmed" milk which the contents of such
packet represent. The label of packets of "Partly Skimmed Milk" to state that such milk "should
not be used for babies except under medical advice," and those of "Skimmed Milk" that such
milk is "unfit for babies." If sugar and nothing else has been added in the process of manufacture the
word "Sweetened" is to be added to the description of the dried milk; if some constituent of milk,
"Modified"; if any other substance, "Compound." The size of type and general make-up of the
label to be used for each description of dried milk are prescribed by the regulations. Each label is to
include the names and addresses of the manufacturer of the dried milk or (in the case of imported milk)
the name and address of the dealer or merchant for whom such milk has been manufactured.