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64
SECTION E.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOODS.
INSPECTIONS.
Records show that there are now 520 buildings in the district
where food is prepared or stored, or from which it is sold. These
premises vary from large food factories and wholesale warehouses,
to cafes, canteens and confectionery kiosks. Details of the number
of trades concerned are given later in this section.
Some of these premises, particularly those from which ice cream
is sold or at which sausages are prepared are registered under the
Food and Drugs Act, but in all cases they are subject to the Food
Hygiene (General) Regulations, 1960. By and large all food
premises in the district now comply with the structural requirements
of the Regulations. By courtesy of the Engineer and Surveyor,
plans of new food premises or alteration to existing premises are
examined. It is thus possible to indicate to owners or architects
any improvements or matters which will require attention before
work commences.
It is still of great importance to continue the strict supervision
of food premises. In some cases it is found that equipment provided
has become defective or is not being used. The frequent
turnover of staff of food shops and canteens necessitates a constant
programme of education if food is to be handled in an hygienic
manner.
For these purposes, 3,630 visits have been paid during the year.
Although many matters are dealt with in an informal way, it was
necessary to serve 78 notices and 266 items were remedied.
FOOD COMPLAINTS.
A considerable proportion of the Inspectors time is occupied
in carrying out detailed enquiries into complaints made with regard
to foreign matter or abnormalities in food. The modern trend
towards mass production of food and the extensive use of pre-packing,
although a marked step towards hygienic handling, seems to
have given rise to new difficulties.
Thirty-three investigations of this nature were carried out
compared with 52 in the previous year. Not all of these complaints
were found to be justified, but all were reported to the Committee,
who decided on the action to be taken, judging each case on its
own merit.