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FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1955, SECTION 9, AND
PUBLIC HEALTH (MEAT) REGULATIONS, 1924, SECTIONS 8, 9 & 10
On 19th July a sow carcase minus head was inspected at a stall at Smithfield Market. The
carcase had been split into two sides to facilitate inspection. A detailed examination showed
that the carcase was affected with generalised tuberculosis and was unfit for human consumption.
This opinion was confirmed by the Chief Meat Inspector.
Further enquiries were made, and a set of sow offal was found also to be affected with
generalised tuberculosis. A laboratory test was made on specimens from the carcase and this
again confirmed the diagnosis.
It was stated that the carcase and offal had been consigned to Smithfield by a Penzance
wholesale meat supplier, who was informed that it was my intention to seize the carcase and
offal and that both would be taken before a magistrate with a view to requesting the issue of a
Condemnation Order.
On 31st July, 1957, the sow carcase minus head and set of sow offal were taken before
Alderman Sir Noel Vansittart Bowater, Bt., G.B.E., M.C., and a condemnation order was signed
by him.
The circumstances were reported to the Port and City of London Health Committee who
authorised the institution of legal proceedings against the consignor of the meat "for having
deposited or consigned for the purpose of sale or of preparation for sale food intended for but
unfit for human consumption".
The summons was heard on 15th November at the Guildhall Justice Room before His Honour
Judge Block, D.S.C.
On behalf of the Defendants evidence was given that the local Meat Inspector when asked to
inspect meat slaughtered by the Company had declined to inspect any meat not intended for consumption
within his area unless he was expressly informed that there was diseased meat in the
slaughterhouse for his inspection.
The summons was found proved but having regard to the circumstances an absolute discharge
was granted upon payment of 25 guineas costs.
The Judge remarked that he was surprised to hear that the local authority does not carry out
its moral if not its legal duty.
This is not an isolated instance of the deliberate intention of a local authority not to inspect
meat for Smithfield Market, in fact many local authorities have similarly declined to
inspect prior to despatch. The Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924 require notice to be given
to the local authority of intention to slaughter but there is no obligation on the local authority to
examine the meat, even if it appears to be diseased or unsound at the time of slaughter and
notice of the fact is given. It would seem there is little purpose in the requirement to give
notice of slaughter other than to give to the local authority the opportunity to inspect
The delivery of meat to Smithfield Market during 1957 was 422,607 tons and it is obviously
impossible for your meat inspectors to inspect each carcase, and the refusal or inability of local
meat inspectors to inspect at time of slaughter or despatch to Smithfield exacerbates the position.
The Port and City of London Health Committee takes a serious view of the position whereby
increasing quantities of uninspected meat are consigned to Smithfield Market, and gave instructions
that representations be made to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
On 6th January, 1958, a delegation was received at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
and Food, at which the Corporation's views were explained. The Officer of the Ministry informed
the delegation that they had the matter under consideration, and expressed his appreciation of
the Corporation's having sent a delegation to express their point of view.
IMPORTED MEAT AND OFFAL NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
The desirability of requiring the sterilization and staining of meat and offal unfit for human
consumption has been apparent for some time.
The importation into this country of consignments of offals, especially livers, marked "Not
for human consumption" or "For animal food only", a high percentage of which have been found to
be affected with hydatid cyst has accentuated the need for control.
The Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations, 1937 and 1948, give powers for inspection
and movement control, if necessary, of meat or meat products intended for human consumption,
but meat and offal if marked "Not for human consumption" are outside the scope of the Regulations
and local authorities have no powers of control.
The trade in this class of meat has grown from imports to an animal food processing plant —
in respect of which no complaint is made, as delivery of consignments is effected under proper
control — to the importation on a growing scale for chance sale. It is this kind of importation to
which there is objection, and evidence tends to suggest that the uncontrolled entry and sale of
this type of meat may lead to its appearance as meat for human consumption.
7.