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22
Food Condemned Quantity
tons cwts. qtrs. lbs.
Meat and offal — 11 2 1
Bacon and ham . 2 12 — 12
Poultry and game — 3 — 16
Fish — 12 1 14
Fruit and vegetables . 1 6 2 25
Canned meat 4 6 1 23
Canned food (other than meat) 10 18 — 14
Miscellaneous 1 19 1 4
In 1954, the quantity of unsound food surrendered was approximately 46 tons and the present
reduction to some extent reflects the greater care being taken by the trade. Wholesalers and importers
do not now accept financial responsibilities for loss indiscriminately. Consequently, retailers are more
careful when purchasing and when examining food in course of delivery. Of unsound canned food
a large proportion is unfit as a result of mishandling.
The early removal of decomposing food was facilitated by the use of the Department's transport.
During 1955 this work involved 194 journeys. Whenever possible unsound food was released for
animal feeding, the remainder being destroyed.
Flaked Hen Egg Albumen.
A consignment of flaked hen egg albumen imported from China by a wholesaler in St. Marylebone
was found to contain organisms of the salmonella group. Subsequently, the organism was typed as
" Salmonella Thompson". The Medical Officers of Health of the districts to which supplies of the
albumen had been distributed were notified by telephone or telegram and the Ministry of Health were
informed of the circumstances. Unused stocks of the albumen were returned to the wholesaler leaving
him with a total of 4,120 lbs. to be held pending an official decision as to the method of its disposal.
Milk.
There are 78 premises from which milk is sold and 12 milk roundsmen operate in the Borough from
shops or depots elsewhere. A total of 162 inspections were made.
During the year, 238 applications under the Milk (Special Designation) (Raw Milk) Regulations,
1949-1954 and the Milk (Special Designation) (Pasteurised and Sterilised Milk) Regulations, 1949-1953,
were received from seventy-five milk sellers, and licences were granted as follows :—
Tuberculin tested milk 51 dealer's and 15 supplementary
Pasteurised milk 1 pasteuriser's, 70 dealer's and 16 supplementary
Sterilised milk 1 steriliser's, 69 dealer's and 15 supplementary
The average composition of the 110 genuine samples of milk analysed was : total solids 12.42 per
cent. ; fat 3.67 per cent. ; solids not fat 8.75 per cent. ; as compared with the legal minima, namely,
11.50 per cent.; 3.00 per cent. and 8.50 per cent. respectively.
Twenty-two samples of milk taken at the premises of two authorised wholesale firms operating
heat treatment plants were submitted to the tests prescribed for the various designations; all were
reported to be satisfactory. Of 89 other samples of milk examined by the Council's Bateriologist,
all were found to comply with the requisite standards.
Ice-Cream.
The number of registered premises was 224, which includes three where ice-cream is manufactured ;
162 inspections were made and two notices were served in respect of defects.
Preserved Food.
There were 118 premises registered for the preparation or manufacture of sausages or potted, pickled,
pressed or preserved food intended for sale. A total of 384 inspections were made and informal action
was taken to remedy any unsatisfactory conditions found from time to time.
Restaurants, etc.
Premises in which meals are provided or food is sold already cooked or is prepared for sale numbered
789, including 327 restaurants and snack bars, 45 hotels, 231 staff and club canteens, 120 public houses,
32 other licensed premises, 18 school and nursery canteens and 6 coffee stalls ; 2,234 inspections were
made and 32 notices served.