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NEW LEGISLATION DURING THE YEAR
The following enactments, which affect the work of the department, were made during the
year:-
The Antioxidant in Food Regulations, 1966.
The Butter Regulations, 1966.
The Cheese (Amendment) Regulations, 1966.
The Colouring Matter in Food Regulations, 1966.
The Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966.
The Food Hygiene (Market, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations, 1966.
The Meat Inspection (Amendment) Regulations, 1966.
The Mineral Hydrocarbons in Food Regulations, 1966.
The Public Health (Leprosy) Regulations, 1966.
The Salad Cream Regulations, 1966.
The School Health Service Amending Regulations, 1966.
The Skimmed Milk with Non-Milk Fat (Amendment) Regulations, 1966.
FOOD HYGIENE
The Annual Conference of the Central Council for Health Education was held at Church
House, Westminster, S.W.I, on 26th January, 1966. The theme of the Conference was "Food
Hygiene". Four papers were read on various aspects of this subject including the following one
contributed by the Medical Officer of Health.
"THE PROBLEMS OF A MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH"
by W.G. Swann, M.D., B.Sc., D.P.H.,
D.R.C.O.G., D.P.A.,
Medical Officer of Health
Port and City of London
When it is suggested to a Medical Officer of Health that he should discuss problems associated
with one facet of his work, in this case Food Hygiene, it must at least make him pause
and consider what, over a considerable period of time, he has been trying to achieve. It is inevitable
that his problems are conditioned by the surroundings in which he finds himself, the
nature of his appointment and, I venture to suggest, his own philosophy regarding the importance
of particular aspects of a problem. No apologies are offered therefore if some of the matters I
raise appear to be of little importance to some people while I may ignore difficulties which
trouble others.
Legislation
In food hygiene, legislation presents a problem in itself. I make no excuse for raising once
once more the question of registration and prior approval of catering premises. On many occasions
in an area such as the City of London, and this must apply to many of our major towns, where
accommodation is at a premium and rents are high, the Medical Officer of Health and his staff
are asked to comment on the suitability of accommodation for catering. Prospective caterers do
not always heed the advice offered and this often results in food preparation being carried on in
indifferent surroundings thereby presenting difficulties in achieving the standards we have set
ourselves.
This problem of persuading Parliament to give further but favourable consideration to this
matter has not been resolved and while it can be maintained that there are adequate powers
available to solve any problem that may arise in food preparing establishments, I feel
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