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as a result of faulty processing. In no case did the circumstances
justify the official seizure of unsound food exposed or deposited for
the purpose of sale.
Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Minister
of Health, acting jointly, made these Regulations in exercise of powers
conferred on them by the Food and Drugs Act, 1955. The Regulations
took the place of Section 13 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1948, and are
of considerable importance in that they add a number of new provisions
in respect of the handling of food and the construction and maintenance
of premises, stalls and vehicles, etc., where food is handled.
Certain of the Regulations, which require alteration to premises,
or substantial changes in existing practices, did not operate until the
1st July, 1956. Otherwise the general date of operation was from
the 1st January, 1956.
The principal extensions of the previous law relate to
(i) Specific requirements designed to prevent the contamination
of the food.
(ii) The provision of sinks or other facilities for washing food
and equipment.
(iii) The provision of a constant supply of hot water for sinks,
wash-hand basins, etc., in certain food premises and a supply
of hot water on some stalls and vehicles.
(iv) Restrictions on the preparation and packing of food in or
about domestic premises.
(v) The conditions under which certain foods that provide a
particularly favourable medium for food poisoning organisms,
are to be kept in food premises.
(vi) A requirement to provide vehicles for the transport of meat
with duckboards and separate receptacles for offal, and,
where the vehicles are not enclosed, a cover supported by a
frame or poles.
(vii) The circumstances in which persons carrying meat are
required to wear overalls and head covers.
The majority of food traders in Beckenham appreciate the need
which evoked the Regulations, but some difficulty was experienced in
obtaining ready co-operation in the provision of separate sink and
wash-hand basin facilities. The statutory regulations alone were not
sufficient to convince many traders of the importance of these particular
provisions in reducing the extent of food-borne disease, and it was
continually necessary to supplement their application by interviews
and explanatory conversation or correspondence. This work added
considerably to our duties during the year.
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