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MEAT AND FOOD INSPECTION - SMITHFIELD MARKET
The deliveries of meat, poultry etc., into Smithfield Market was 373,506 tons, approximately
the same as last year. The tonnage of food condemned showed a slight drop of approximately
80 tons to 790 tons. It will be noted from the attached summary that the tonnage for home-killed
diseased meat has increased by approximately 11% tons.
Protein Beef
This is a new type of meat now coming on to the market and it is most interesting as the
culmination of many years of research into the problems connected with tenderness in beef.
This scientific process for developing tenderness is by inj ecting natural vegetable proteins into
the meat tissue of the live animal just before slaughter. These added proteins (emzymes) produce
increased tenderness during cooking, which means that any part of the carcase can now be
roasted, resulting in equal tenderness and thereby making the carcase of greater value. Samples
of this meat have been submitted to the Public Analyst and all have given satisfactory results.
During the year 706 samples from 864 tons of horsemeat imported for animal feeding purposes
have been taken (Argentine & Uruguay) resulting in 497 tons only being passed, and 367 tons
having to be sterilised on account of salmonella infection. This horsemeat is not allowed on the
market, but is kept in one of the riverside cold stores.
FOOD HYGIENE (GENERAL) REGULATIONS, 1960 & 1962
Transport and Handling of Meat
The following report has been received from Mr. D.R. Bernhardt the officer appointed to
enforce the provisions of these Regulations in regard to transport and handling of meat.
Stalls — The standard of cleanliness in the stalls has been maintained.
Meat Transport — The standard of cleanliness of the vehicles is still satisfactory.
Trucks — Truck cleanliness still shows improvement. A new type of meat truck has been
designed which has proved quite satisfactory from the hygienic point of view. It is easier
to clean and there is less chance of small cuts of meat falling off. Certain modifications
have still to be made but it is hoped that future trucks will be constructed in accordance
with the improved design.
Hats and Clothing — The general standard is good and no prosecutions were necessary
during the year.
Smoking — A marked improvement has been observed, and only one prosecution for smoking
whilst handling meat was taken at the Guildhall Police Court and this was successful.
Vans — The standard of cleanliness of private butchers vans has been good.
Taxis and Private Cars — The conveyance of meat in private cars is still practiced and
where there is risk of contamination the owners are notified by warning letter and the meat
loaded onto market transport. The use of taxi-cabs for conveying meat has now practically
ceased, and any isolated cases found have been suitably dealt with.
POULTRY
Examination of a consignment of approximately 100 tons of chickens at Smithfield Market
showed them to have an abnormal odour. This odour was traced to a technical fault in the
manufacture of the glue used in the making of the cartons in which the birds were packed.
The owners consulted the Chief Meat Inspector, who stated that in their present condition
the birds were unsatisfactory, but that in his opinion if they were immediately removed from the
cartons and aired the odour might disappear.
Samples of the chickens were sent by the owners to an analyst, who reported to the effect
that the birds were sound apart from the odour, which however might cause mild internal upsets
if they were eaten.
In the circumstances, rather than risk damage to the trade's good name, the owners surrendered
the entire consignment for destruction.
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