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Some of the Orders made under the Agricultural Produce (Grading
and Marking) Act may prove useful as first steps towards standards for
food. Stilton, Cheddar, Caerphilly and cream cheeses, creamery butter,
wheat flakes, bottled fruits and bottled vegetables are among the chief
articles for which standards of a chemical nature are laid down. Although
these standards are at present only intended to cover National Mark
produce, they are capable of being quoted in support of cases of adulteratipn
in regard to any food found to be defective although it may not bear
the National Mark. To state a concrete case, if a Cheddar cheese is found
to be deficient in fat the analyst now has a regulation which he may use
in support of his view that the article is adulterated by reason of the
deficiency in fat.
Regulation of Street Trading.
The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, provides
for the regulation of street trading by the issue of licences which must
be renewed annually. Special observation is kept by the food inspectors
on all stalls where food is exposed for sale and also the premises where
it is stored.
The number of stallholders licensed by the Council is about 300,
and some 200 of these handle foodstuffs. The number is continually
changing. As a result of constant supervision only minor infringements
were observed. These were promptly rectified when pointed out by
the inspectors.
Meat Regulations, 1924.
There are no slaughterhouses in the City and the duties imposed are
confined to the supervision of meat shops, stalls and stores. A register
is kept of all meat vendors and the number registered at the end of 1935
was 153. The inspectors paid 229 visits to these premises, including
stalls, 4 notices were served and the defects were remedied in each case.
Restaurants.—The register of restaurants includes 1,411 premises.
During the year 1,465 visits were paid. Kitchens, pantries, messroom
arrangements for staff, systems for washing up, and general sanitary
arrangements were specially observed. Defects requiring notices were
found in 47 instances, and in each case the work was satisfactorily
carried out.
Bakehouses.—At the end of 1935 there were 61 bakehouses in use in
the City, of which 42 were underground. 192 visits of inspection were
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