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37
FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
In order to ensure that food businesses are supervised systematically,
an up-to-date register is maintained of all premises
where such business is carried on. Supervision is governed mainly
by powers under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and regulations
made thereunder but there are numerous other Acts of Parliament,
etc., which relate to specific types of food.
The supervision of catering establishments and premises where
food is sold, stored, manufactured or prepared for sale is carried
out by all public health inspectors. The district public health
inspectors obtain samples of food and drugs for analysis by the
Public Analyst, and a detailed account of this work appears later
in this section of the report.
A number of complaints were received during the year concerning
articles of food, each of which was thoroughly investigated and
appropriate action was taken. A typical example is shown in the
centre pages (plate A).
The total number of food premises of all kinds on the register
in the Borough is 2,396 and during 1969 they were visited on 4,855
occasions. Details of the various types of food premises will be
found in Tables 1 and 2 which follow.
Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960
Work in connection with food hygiene continued throughout the
year, and occupiers of food premises proved receptive to suggestions
made by the inspectors for necessary improvements to their
premises.
The separate categories of trade carried on in food premises
which are subject to these Regulations are shown in Table 1 which
also indicates the number of premises which comply with Regulation
16, relating to the provisions of washing facilities for food
handlers, and Regulation 19 which requires the provision of
facilities for washing food and equipment. Table 2 summarises
the visits paid to food premises during the year and Table 3
shows the work carried out to comply with statutory requirements.
One summons, issued under these regulations against a cafe
proprietor in respect of the condition of the premises, resulted in
the Court imposing a fine of £40 and costs of £5.