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FOOD
Another aspect of the re-orientation of the work of the public
health inspector concerns food hygiene. The first Regulations to
secure the improvement in the handling, preparation and storage of
food came into force on the 1st January, 1956 and these Regulations
were revised in 1960 coming into force on the 1st October of that
year. The second edition varies generally only in detail from the
first and a great deal of effort has been and continues to be made
to ensure that premises on which food is handled are properly constructed,
that the equipment is suitable for the job and that adequate
attention is paid to all aspects of cleanliness both of the premises
and of the persons who are engaged in the work. It must be
evident that during the past few years there has been a striking
improvement in the equipment, layout, lighting and general cleanliness
of most food premises but continuous effort is required through the
department to ensure that the better standards are maintained not
only in the public portion of the premises but also in those parts
of the establishment from which the public is excluded.
The department is prepared at all times to discuss a problem
with food traders and food handlers and the inspectors can draw upon
their wide experience in offering advice and suggestions as to how
the occupier of food premises, and his staff, can meet the requirements
of the Regulations. It is necessary, however, to point out
that the Council have the power to institute proceedings where the
persons concerned do not meet their obligations and it should be
emphasised that the Food Hygiene Regulations are designed as a code
of continual practice and that any failure to meet the requirements
of the Regulations is of itself an offence and can be made the subject
of prosecution. However, the happy situation exists in the Borough
whereby the large majority of food traders and food handlers are
keen to-co-operate with the Council in ensuring that the public receive
clean safe food, prepared and handled in clean safe conditions and it
is to be hoped that this atmosphere will very soon apply to everybody
in the Borough whose activities are governed by the Regulations.
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