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Unsound Food.
It was not necessary during the year, formally to seize any unsound
food.
Approximately 5 tons of foodstuffs certified as unfit for human
consumption by the Sanitary Inspectors were surrendered for
destruction by food vendors.
A few instances of contamination of food in the process of
preparation for sale were brought to our notice, but in no case did the
Council deem it necessary to prosecute the vendor. The investigation of
the circumstances of each case proved beyond doubt that the
contamination was accidental and not due in any way to continued or
wilful neglect of hygienic principles. In addition, one or two frivolous
allegations were made of contamination of food, which proved upon
examination to be perfectly sound.
Food Handling and Food Premises.
This subject has continued to engage the attention of the public,
the national and the local press.
It has also, following the custom of years, formed the basis of much
of our work.
A plea was made in a previous report for a balanced and logical
view of the subject. Statements, however, continue to receive prominence
which give an entirely false view of the general position. Sanitary
Inspectors are well aware that malpractice and slipshod conduct arises
in certain food premises. They are mainly those which offend aesthetic
taste, and normally are not dangerous to public health. Frequently
unhygienic conduct must pass without official notice, for we cannot be
everywhere at the same time. It is therefore, rather distressing to read
or hear of generalisations on the subject which come from the perhaps
understandably incensed witness of an instance of malpractice. A case
in point in this quotation from a press report:—
"In one Beckenham Cafe it is not unusual for food to be
served on a plate on which the remains of another customer's
lunch are still plainly visible."
The report refers to the "present lethargic attitude of the Council"
and "the Council has never appeared to be particularly interested in
the subject."
Such generalisations are unfair and bear no relation to the facts.
The members of the Council and the Officers are neither lethargic nor
uninterested. Information of malpractices such as that referred to
above would be welcomed and thoroughly investigated, and a balanced
view given of the action necessary. With the staff available, each of our
food premises is visited bi-monthly and where necessary, more
frequently. 2,369 visits were made to food premises in 1951. Let it be
said, in fairness to the majority of our local caterers, that they have
offered whole-hearted co-operation to the Council's Officers in their work
of education on matters of hygiene; there is a greater realisation of the
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