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premises in which ice cream is prepared or sold and certain articles of food are manufactured
or prepared. At present the requirement does not apply to cook-shops or
cooked-food shops, but in time the difficulties with which the procedure is supposed
to be surrounded in the case of such establishments may be met. As a matter of
routine, a number of restaurants and other food premises are visited each week by
the food inspector, and any matters discovered at these inspections are dealt with
at once. In 1938, the total number of inspections was 421, the number of notices
served being 10.
Food Stalls.
Under the bye-laws with regard to registration of street traders under the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1927, food stalls, in common with
other stalls, must be registered. The Committee actually responsible is the Highways
Committee, who co-operate in the closest possible manner with the Public
Health Committee and endeavour to limit the number of traders to whom registration
is granted. Wherever possible, the Committee refuse to allot space for stalls
from which food is to be sold, and in each case full enquiries are made and investigations
of storage accommodation carried out. Where improvements are required
and are possible, these are called for. If the conditions are unsatisfactory and
irremediable, this is made a ground for refusal of registration. All food stalls are
inspected daily by officers of the Public Health Department, a special feature being
made of inspections over each week-end.
Bacteriological Examinations.
During the year, apart from milk samples, 5 samples of ice cream and 1 pork
pie were examined bacteriologically. All were found to be satisfactory.
FOOD AND DRUGS (ADULTERATION) ACT, 1928.
The total number of samples taken under this Act in 1938 was 1,067, the figure
for 1937 being 1,066. The sum paid in respect of each analysis was 12s. 6d.
No sample was reported by the analyst as being below standard or not of the
nature, substance and quality demanded by the purchaser. The percentage of
adulteration in 1937 was 0.5.
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 "informal" 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.
The following tables and report from the Public Analyst (Mr. J. F. F. Rowland)
give full information with regard to samples submitted to and examined by him.
Annual Report of the Public Analyst.
Table 37 contains a complete list of the articles submitted for analysis during
1938.