View report page

unaware of the purpose for which they had been engaged neither had they any knowledge of
the existence of regulations in respect of transport of meat. Appropriate communications
were therefore sent to the Transport and General Workers' Union, the Motor cab Owner and
Drivers' Association, the London Motor cab Proprietors' Association and the Taxi Fleet
Operators' Federation. As a consequence of these communications and of the co-operative
action of the recipients, the use of taxis for the conveyance of meat virtually ceased. As a
consequence however, there has been a large increase in the use of private cars for the
conveyance of meat. These are used primarily by foreign owners of cafes, namely Greeks,
Cypriots, Chinese and Indians. The meat is generally placed on top of the spare wheel,
tools, etc., which are carried in the boot which is usually in a dirty condition. Where such
cases are found the meat is off loaded on to market transport and the owner of the vehicle
warned. Every effort is made to keep observation on these vehicles but difficulty is experienced
due to the extensive area of the Market and the fact that some vehicles are parked in
the adjoining side streets making constant inspection very difficult."
In July, the Judge by whom the majority of the prosecutions were heard remarked upon
the frequency with which he had to deal with offences under the Food Hygiene Regulations
at Smithfield Market and stated that if the offences continued he would consider imprisonment
as an alternative to a fine. Since that month it has been necessary to prosecute only one
porter for an offence in connection with the transport of meat. He was fined £10 and 2 guineas
costs for smoking whilst handling meat.
On a lighter note, as an illustration of the ingenuity sometimes required to bridge an
administrative gap in Act or Regulation may be quoted the awareness of the Meat Inspectors
at Smithfield Market that a number of meat porters were in process of growing, or had already
achieved, a beard.
Sec. 30 of the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960 requires every person who, in
the course of a food business, carries meat while so engaged to wear a clean and washable
overall, and if the meat is liable to come into contact with his neck or head, a clean and
washable head covering.
It was considered that if the protective clothing required by the Regulations was worn,
there would still remain a risk of contamination if a beard was involved.
Accordingly the Chief Meat Inspector invited all bearded meat porters to his office and
explained that Regulation 8 required a person who engages in the handling of food while so
occupied to take all such steps as may be reasonably necessary to protect the food from risk
of contamination, and requested either the removal of beards or the wearing of a suitable
beard covering whilst carrying meat.
It is gratifying to note that only one beard now survives, and it is hoped the influence of
his colleagues will induce the wearer to follow their example.
IMPORTED FROZEN PRAWNS
During the year all shipments of cartoned imported frozen prawns, irrespective of source,
were placed under detention for bacteriological examination.
235 samples were taken from 33 shipments of 14 different brands from 7 different countries,
Egypt, Chile, India, Norway, Persia, Spain and Japan.
15% of the total imports were rejected on account of unacceptable bacteriological condition
and were either destroyed or allowed for re-export for sterilization with the knowledge of the Port
Medical Officer of the country of destination.
Particular brands showed a spectacular improvement in the latter part of the year, surface
plate counts repeatedly being as low as 500 p.g.with absence of coagulase-positive staphylococci
and B.Coli.
It is understood these excellent results are obtained by further boiling after the peeling process,
no chemical or antibiotic having been detected on bacteriological and chemical examinations.
THE LEAD IN FOOD REGULATIONS, 1961
Imported Tea
The above Regulations will come into operation on 16th April 1962, and restrict the lead
content of certain specified foods, and after that date tea may not contain lead in excess of
10 p.p.m.
17