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be displayed on a shelf in the front position past which customers walk to collect various items on a
tray, lean over to pay the bill, or carry on conversations with persons behind the counter. The risk
of contamination from clothing and droplet infection is readily apparent, and the minimum requirement
to obviate these possibilities is the provision of sloping glass screens (known to the trade as
"sneeze plates") which protect the food.
It is the Inspectors' experience that many caterers seem incredulous when told that food can be
contaminated in this way. Unfortunately, for the most part the public show little interest in the
provision of this type of protection, and continue to use shops where unprotected food is displayed
on the counters so that no economic pressure is brought to bear on the trader to take greater
precautions.
Street Traders—Markets and Stalls
On the 1st January, 1967, the new Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls & Delivery Vehicles)
Regulations, 1966 came into effect. Markets and stalls are so defined that the Regulations apply
to any handling of, or trading in, food which is undertaken either in any market or market premises
or away from fixed premises. Delivery vehicles used for the delivery of food, if they are used for the
sale of food, come within the definition of stall, and become subject to the appropriate requirements
for stalls. The Regulations revoked or superseded corresponding requirements in the Food Hygiene
(General) Regulations 1960, which continue to apply to food businesses in fixed premises and
shops.
It is not proposed to dwell at length on the requirements of the new Regulations, but they are
far reaching in their intent and, not surprisingly, certain matters have not found ready acceptance
on the part of traders who are now required to comply with their provisions.
The Town Planning Committee of the City Council is of the opinion that it is desirable to retain
street markets both as an amenity feature and as fulfilling a consumer need. Some revolutionary
changes are envisaged in open air trading, particularly in relation to street markets, to meet the new
requirements. The present type of costermonger barrow and the trestle type of stall with an awning,
which has been in use with very little change for well over a century, will need to be replaced by
a covered-in stall of modern design. Such a stall from which open food is sold will have to be
screened at the sides and back so as to prevent contamination of open food on the stall, and any
surfaces which come into contact with food will have to be smooth and non-absorbent without
recesses or open seams. Unless adequate provision is made, the stall will also have to incorporate
a portable washing unit embodying an insulated or heated water container and waste receptacle
underneath. No longer is it permissible for stalls to be left out in the street overnight or stored in
any other place where they may be exposed to contamination, and it will be necessary to display
on the stall the address where it is stored. A difficulty experienced by most traders at some time
or another is the finding of suitable storage accommodation near to the market from which they trade.
Initially during the first year of the new Regulations emphasis has been on securing the cooperation
of all concerned and a result has been the formation of three Market Traders Associations
covering the whole of Westminster under the following designations:—
Marylebone & Church Street District
Soho and District
Victoria and District.
Meetings have been held throughout the year at which the Senior Public Health Inspector (Food
Control) has explained the requirements of the new Regulations and the City Council's views on
matters which have arisen in their application. The discussions have proved of considerable benefit
to all concerned and an expression of appreciation has been received from the traders for this
assistance.
In order to assist traders to understand the Regulations, an introductory letter has been sent to
each, on the reverse side of which has appeared the principal requirements in relation to his
particular trade. A synopsis of the Regulations has also been provided.
To give some idea of the type of stall which will incorporate all the requirements of the Regulations
one has been designed in model form in the Department. Great interest has been shown in the
features it incorporates, although certain aspects have not in all respects met general agreement.
The Committees of the three Associations mentioned above have set up a Joint Committee
to negotiate on behalf of traders with officers of the various departments of the City Council and
other bodies and to act in matters of common interest. This Committee has assured the Council that
traders in Westminster are most anxious to comply with the new requirements, although aware that
there are matters which present very real problems to the trader.