View report page

fact among the people intimately concerned, that the slogan" Clean
Food "is overworked, and that" Safe Food "is the thing that matters.
Food which is visibly dirty isn't eaten because it offers its own warning.
A "disgusting example of food handling" reads another local
press report, which related to frozen fish which had fallen from a van
into the gutter. Is it suggested that such food should immediately be
destroyed, or that because of an unfortunate accident, the carter should
be prosecuted? We did not witness this incident, but it is extremely
improbable that this soiled frozen fish ever caused food poisoning to
the consumer, and it is equally improbable that a Sanitary Inspector
would condemn such a consignment of frozen fish.
May I ask that any incidents which are witnessed by members of the
public, and offend their senses, be reported to the Council's Officers
who will immediately deal with the matter in a manner which our
knowledge shows the circumstances to warrant.
In an endeavour to stimulate public interest, the Council decided
to incorporate a Clean Food Exhibition in the activities of the local
Festival of Britain. The Exhibition was finally staged in the Croydon
Road Recreation Ground from the 6th to the 16th June, 1951.
It is estimated that 10,000 people visted the Exhibition, a number
which we know compared very favourably with the attendances at
similar Exhibitions held by other local authorities, but which nevertheless,
did not by any means exceed our expectations.
The staging of such an Exhibition is accomplished only by a
lengthy and vast preparation, multitudinouscorrespondence, journeyings,
meetings, plus many set-backs and anxieties to harass the organisers.
During the preceding months one asked oneself over and over again
the question "Is this effort going to achieve the desired purpose?"
It may now fairly be said that the Exhibition, to those who visited it,
appeared to hold considerable interest, and the activity which has
continued to be shewn by the members of the public in the subject
generally, may be a tangible result.
Formal thanks have long since been tendered to those public
bodies and commercial undertakings who so willingly co-operated with
us, but it is proper here again to express the greatest possible
appreciation for their constructive help without which the Exhibition
would not have been possible.
Food and Drugs Sampling.
In my report for 1950, I set out detailed information of the Sanitary
Inspector's work in this regard. The work has continued during 1951
with the same meticulous attention which is so very essential.
137 formal samples and 30 informal samples were taken during the
year. No instance of wilful adulteration was brought to light, but certain
articles certified as inferior by the Public Analyst were withdrawn from
sale on our recommendation.
24