View report page

24
b.—foods other than milk.
The main duties in relation to food protection generally in 1931, as for some
years past, have been carried out by Inspector Smith, who made inspections of
premises in which food is sold, stored or prepared, and acted as Sampling Officer
under the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.
The Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1925, continue to work smoothly so far
as the provisions relating to butchers' shops and to stalls and the slaughtering of
animals are concerned, the butchers endeavouring to comply as completely as
possible with the requirements. On the whole it may be claimed that as a result of
the operation of the regulations there has been real improvement so far as regards
exposure of meat, and that in the matter of protection from contamination
conditions are very much better than they were when the regulations came into
operation. I
Food Inspection.—The work of food inspection receives year by year adequate
attention. During 1931, as formerly, the special Saturday night and Sunday
inspections in market streets, etc., were made, and in carrying them out Inspector
Smith received the assistance of other members of the staff having the necessary
qualifications and experience.
On a great many occasions the inspector was called by vendors to examine
articles of food under Section 47 (8) of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and
to accept surrender of such as were unsound or unwholesome or unfit for food.
Amongst the articles dealt with in this way were:—
Unsound and Diseased Food Condemned and Destroyed During the
Year 1931.
Meat—
Beef 72 lbs.
Mutton 68 „
Bacon 5 cwt. 1 qr. 6 lbs.
Poultry—
Ducks 3
Fish—
Wet—Cod Fillet 12 lbs.
Skate 2 stone
Roe 8 „
Haddock 2 „
Fruit—
Apples 4 barrels
Pears 2 baskets
Tomatoes 2 boxes
Miscellaneous (Tinned Goods, etc.).
Corned Beef 396
Hams. Gammons, etc. 166
Chicken 48
Brawn 81
Tongues 85
Veal 9
Pork and Stuffing 15
Chicken and Ham Roll 24
Sausages 62
Cream
Food Premises.—The points of importance in relation to food premises
generally, i.e., slaughterhouses, bakehouses, etc., have already been defined, and
here it is unnecessary to say more than that during the year these places were
kept under regular supervision. Numerous visits were paid and inspections both
of the premises and contents carried out.
C.—FOOD AND DRUGS (ADULTERATION) ACT, 1928.
The total number of samples taken under this Act in 1931 was 1,108, the figure
for 1930 being 1,103.
Of this number 2 were reported by the analyst as being below standard or not
of the nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser. This gives a
percentage of adulteration of 0.17 per cent., which is lower than that for 1930,
when it was 1.2.
The method adopted in connection with the taking of samples and described in
former reports, it has not been found necessary to alter.
The majority were "formal" samples, and in carrying out the sampling, the
officer was almost invariably assisted by an agent.
The bulk of the samples taken were of milk and dairy produce.