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FOOD HYGIENE - SMITHFIELD MARKET
The Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls & Delivery Vehicles) Regulations, 1966.
These Regulations are enforced in Smithfield Market which at the 31st December 1972
comprised of 330 stalls, occupied by 100 tenants.
Each business is equipped with facilities required by regulations 16 and 18 of the Regulations.
There are 336 porters licensed by the Clerk and Superintendent either self employed or
employed by meat carriers.
During the year 210 warning letters were despatched in respect of infringements of these
regulations and three successful prosecutions were heard at the Guildhall Justice Rooms (details
below).
The Poultry Market at Smithfield is modern and comparatively easy to clean, the old fashioned
design of the main markets with undrained wood floors, nooks and crannies and somewhat
Dickensian stairs, offices and passages above are more of a problem.
The cleanliness of persons handling meat and other foods both in their person and their habits,
constantly engage the attention of the Market Inspectors and prosecutions show only the tip of the
iceberg. Day by day salesmen, shopmen, porters, buyers and carriers are exhorted to remember
that the handling of open food calls for special care.
3uyers who shop in the market to stock their own freezers, immigrants who arrive to treat the
market as they would in their own land do not buy for resale, therefore are outside the scope of
the regulations.
The recently imposed restrictions on non market vehicles until the afternoons has kept away
the large number of unsuitable vehicles, often ordinary motor cars, used by these people.
Increasing supplies of meat which is cut, trimmed, frozen or chilled and boxed before being
sent to Smithfield is much easier to handle and less liable to risk of contamination.
Prosecutions
Infringement Regulation Fine Costs
Smoking whilst handling meat. 8(e) £10
£11
Failing to wear clean washable head covering whilst carrying meat. 9 £10
Smoking whilst handling meat. 8(e) £20 £10
Failing to keep clean a Market Stall. 5 £50
£15
Failing to keep clean articles of equipment 6 £100
(3 offences).
The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1970.
Around Smithfield, in Leadenhall Market and in the City including Billingsgate area are 33
businesses dealing in meat, game and poultry which are subject to routine visits by Meat Inspectors.
Number of premises 33
Number of premises fitted to comply with Regulation 18 33
Number of premises to which Regulation 21 applies 32
Number of premises fitted to comply with Regulation 19 33
During the year 11 warning letters were despatched in respect of infringements of these
regulations.
Meat, poultry and game is prepared for the hotel and other catering outlets in premises in the
Smithfield area. Much attention has been given to achieving the most hygienic methods of
evisceration and trussing in order to minimise the spread of contamination by organisms intrinsic
to the carcases.
The Food Hygiene (Docks, Carriers etc.) Regulations, 1960.
These regulations apply to 4 public cold stores where meat is handled. Of these four public
cold stores, only one is modern and easily managed. The others are old, clumsily lagged, irregular
in shape, labyrninthine in layout, and therefore difficult to keep clean and free from vermin.
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