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21
SECTION E.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
The assistance and co-operation given to the Department by the
Food Traders and retailers has been, throughout the year, all that one
could desire. This working together in a united effort to provide clean
food cannot but lead to success. While communal feeding continues
to be common, there is always a risk of food poisoning outbreaks
should there be any relaxation of personal hygiene of food handlers
at any stage.
During the year we received 13 cases notified as food poisoning
which included two so-called " outbreaks" affecting seven persons.
. In no case were we able to discover the causative organism, if any
such organism existed. The difficulties of investigation are aggravated
unless immediate notification is received and samples of suspected
food available—even 12 hours' delay complicates the investigation.
The regular routine inspections of food premises are carried out
by the Inspectors and no less than 1,108 inspection visits were made
during the year.
Food and Drugs Act, 1948.
One hundred and twenty-nine formal and 56 informal samples
were taken under this Act.
Details of these samples appear in the appendix and all samples
proved to be genuine except: —
Baking Powder.—Deficient of 20% of minimum amount carbon dioxide.
Baking Powder.—Deficient of 17.5% minimum amount of carbon dioxide.
Unsweetened Milk.—Sour smell and curdled on boiling. Acidity (0.8%
as Lactic acid) excessive. Unfit for use.
Milk (Jersey).—Deficient 23.75% minimum amount of fat.
Milk (Jersey).—Deficient 15% minimum amount of fat.
Sausages (Beef).—Deficient 14% minimum amount of meat.
Sausage Meat.—Deficient 24% minimum amount of meat.
Beef Sausages (formal).—Deficient 24% minimum amount of meat.
Pasteurised Milk (informal).—Contained 5.7% added water.
Inspection of Food Premises.
During the year these premises were subject to routine inspection
and a total of 1,108 visits were made to the following types of
shops: —
Butchers 191 Ice cream premises 158
Bakers 124 Greengrocers 146
Cafes, etc. 333 Other food-preparing
Fishmongers 132 premises 29