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27
C.—PREMISES THAT ARE NOT BUT SHOULD BE
REGISTERED.
For a variety of reasons the number of premises in the Borough in which meals
are provided or food is sold ready cooked or is prepared for sale is very large. At the
end of 1922 there were 331, this number including : restaurant, dining room and
coffee shop kitchens, 191; tea-rooms and pastry-cooks, 70 ; hotel kitchens, 43; fried
fish shops, 22; and fish-curers, 5. In addition, there were a number of shops in
which meat, ham, sausages, &c., were cooked and sold only over the counter.
On more than one occasion the Borough Council, at the suggestion of the Public
Health Committee, have directed the attention of the Ministry of Health and the
London County Council to the necessity for legislation requiring registration of food
premises of this class. Up to the present no step in this direction has been taken by
either of the authorities mentioned.
The routine practice of visiting a number of restaurants, &c., each week was
continued by the Food Inspector, and any matters discovered dealt with at once.
In 1922 the total number of inspections was 1,241, the number of notices served
being 30.
Food Stalls.—Of these there are considerable numbers in the market streets,
particularly Great Titchfield Street, Bell Street, Church Street, Blandford Street,
&c.
Definite arrangements are made for the keeping of such as are used for the sale
of food under close observation. Throughout 1922 visits were paid to all the market
streets every day, a special feature being made of Saturday night and Sunday
morning inspections.
FOOD.
A. Milk Supply.
Analysis of milk.—The total number of samples taken either formally and in
accordance with the provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, or informally
as " test " samples was 298. On examination by the Public Analyst 10 (3'3 per cent.)
were found to be adulterated. In 1921 the percentage was 1.6. Further reference
to the question of milk examinations is made in the report of the Public Analyst,
which will be found elsewhere.
Proceedings.—In the case of the samples definitely adulterated the explanation
forthcoming was accepted by the Committee and no proceedings were instituted.
A considerable number of samples were taken on Saturday nights and Sunday
mornings, and in all 65 were obtained on delivery at Marylebone Station of the
Great Central Railway. Of the 65, one proved to be adulterated, though not to
an extent sufficient to warrant more than the giving of a serious warning.