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Complaints are often received of unprotected bread and of crates of milk left on the forecourts
of premises, usually in the early hours of the morning, attracting the attention of dogs and cats, etc.
Early morning inspections have confirmed the existence of these unsatisfactory conditions and the
attention of the suppliers has been drawn to the Food Hygiene Regulations which prohibit the placing
of unprotected food lower than eighteen inches from the ground or otherwise exposing it to the risk
of contamination. Similar conditions occur in the street markets. Compliance with the Borough
Council's Street Trading Byelaws can sometimes lead to difficulty in meeting the requirements of
the Food Hygiene Regulations in as much as the former provide for stock to be kept underneath
the stalls where, because of the limited space, foodstuffs are placed on or within eighteen inches of
the ground and thus contravene the Regulations.
Several street traders were found to be selling imported apples and tomatoes which were either
not labelled as such or described as "English." In each case the trader was warned of the offence
and his attention drawn to the relevant Orders made under the Merchandise Marks Act.
More shops have installed deep-freeze cabinets which, if correctly used and maintained, are an asset.
Unfortunately, should they break down the whole contents often have to be destroyed. It is still evident
that, in general, employees need to be impressed with the importance of hygiene and what is good
and what is bad practice. Every opportunity is taken by inspectors to draw attention to this bat
managements frequently complain that staff are not interested.
During the year, Codes of Practices in respect of the hygiene of handling, storing and transporting
in the meat and fish trades were published and although they have no statutory force, the Codes are
intended to make a helpful and practical contribution. Copies were sent to all butchers and fishmongers
in the Borough and it is hoped that the recommendations made, which have been agreed by the
appropriate trade associations, will be implemented.
The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960, came into operation during the year and these
consolidate and amend the 1955-1957 Regulations. Among the changes are the extension of th :
definition of " the handling of food " to include the cleaning of food utensils and equipment, whilst
the person carrying on the food business is now principally responsible for securing compliance with
the Regulations, a manager or foreman being also required to take all reasonable steps to secure
compliance by the food handlers under his control.
Food Stalls.
During the year food was sold from 91 licensed stalls in street markets in the Borough and regular
inspections were made for compliance with the requirements relating to stalls in the Food Hygiene
Regulations and the London County Council Byelaws for the Protection of Food.
Horseflesh.
There are no shops in the Borough selling horseflesh for human consumption.
Slaughter of Animals.
There are no slaughterhouses in the Borough but in the grounds of the Zoological Society of London
for many years there has been a knacker's yard, licensed by the Council, where animals are slaughtered
for feeding purposes. This yard has now been replaced by a new building which was completed during
the year. Twelve inspections were made and conditions found to be satisfactory.
SECTION F.—INFECTIOUS AND OTHER DISEASES—PREVALENCE
AND CONTROL
There was again a decrease in the number of cases of infectious disease reported in the Borough,
326 notifications being received as against 430 in the previous year. Of the total, measles accounted
for 145, the figure for 1959 being 250. There were no serious outbreaks of any of the notifiable diseases
and incidence of these, though generally slightly lower, remained remarkably similar to that of the
previous year. There was only one case of poliomyelitis (non-paralytic) and for the twelfth successive
year there was no diphtheria. Table 25, page 39, gives details of notifications and the age groups
concerned.
Smallpox Contacts.
On 6th October, 1960, information was received from the Medical Officer of Health of Westminster
that, on that same day, a Dutch businessman who had arrived in this country on 3rd October by air