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to rabbits, poultry, fish, butter, margarine, and cheese, and it is considered that Local
Authorities might also properly treat cooked meat, lard, sausages, and other preparations of,
or containing, meat, as outside the scope of the Regulations.
It is to be regretted that cooked meat is excluded as any contamination of such food,
either by dirt or by flies, is even more objectionable than in the case of raw meat which is
is cooked before being consumed.
In the second instance, it is stated that the clause relating to the prevention of mud,
filth, or other contaminating substance, being splashed or blown on meat in shops and stores,
should not be construed as requiring all butchers' shops to be fitted with glass fronts ; and
the precautions which it may be reasonable to require must depend upon the circumstances
of individual cases, the same general standard of freedom from contamination being aimed
at both for shops and for stalls.
It will be observed, from these statements, that stalls are the stumbling block to any
compulsory glazing of butchers' shop fronts. There is, however, a noticeable tendency on
the part of butchers so to improve their premises voluntarily. This factor is not ignored
by discriminating purchasers and those retailers who take the greatest care in the display
of their meat do not perhaps suffer in consequence.
Considerable improvements can be secured under the Regulations as at present applicable
and both the foregoing matters may receive later consideration by the Ministry of Health.
The following details give particulars of the special enquiries and general routine work
carried out in the City since the commencement of the Regulations:—
(1) Butchers' Shops.—An inspection has been made of all butchers' shops
and the information obtained tabulated under suitable headings. Defects of an
urgent nature were remedied at once, and a general compliance with the Regulations
secured. The question of method of display at these premises has for the time
being been left in abeyance.
(2) Leadenhall Market.—Inspections here revealed a serious shortage of
sanitary accommodation and lavatory facilities for the employees at butchers'
shops and other premises. After considering the matter the Sanitary Committee
referred it to the appropriate Committee for consideration.
(3) Smithfield Market.—(a) The practice of permitting unwrapped meat
to stand on open barrows, outside the market, for considerable periods, preparatory
to loading on carriers' vehicles, and also the dirty condition of the barrows, so used,
constituted a generally prevalent contravention, which received special attention,
and on the instructions of the Sanitary Committee, all known firms of meat carriers
were communicated with and requested to take steps to protect meat standing
outside the market, and to maintain the barrows in a cleanly condition.
(b) Special observation was made of the conditions under which meat, delivered
to the market in insulated vans, was handled, and of the methods of pitching.
The routine work included the inspection of butchers' shops and the methods of transport
and handling of meat at:—
Smithfield, Aldgate and Leadenhall Markets.
Brewers' and Custom House Quays, Lower Thames Street.
L. & N. E. Railway Depot, Farringdon Street.
G. W. Railway Depot, Smithfield.
L. M. & S. Railway Depot, Broad Street.
Liverpool Street Station.
Visits were also made from time to time to other Railway Depots and Stations for the
purpose of ensuring that the Regulations were observed in connection with consignments
of meat received there.
A general observation was kept on vehicles used for the carrying of meat at all the abovementioned
centres and in the City streets. Any circumstances noted, bearing upon the subjects
under review, were duly reported for consideration.
The conditions observed suggested that it would be preferable to apply general
principles, rather than detailed requirements, in order to obtain the best results
The purpose of the transport and handling clauses is to ensure that meat is protected
from contamination at all stages. A strict application of the most efficient measures to
secure this at the commencement would have involved considerable inconvenience, and expense,
particularly in the case of vehicles. It would have been unreasonable to require a