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The bulk of the ice cream retailed in the District is obtained
by the vendors from manufacturers whose premises are situated
outside the District.
A total of 114 samples of ice cream were examined for
bacterial quality by submission to the methylene blue reduction
test, and placed in the following provisional grades—
Grade I 92
Grade II 14
Grade III 4
Grade IV 4
Grade I and II samples can be considered satisfactory; only
about a fifth of the samples taken from any dealer should be of
Grade III quality, and none of Grade IV. Two of the Grade IV
samples came from one salesman who gave up his business shortly
afterwards. The other 2 samples were of wrapped ice cream
which had been manufactured outside this District. By comparison
with recent years the above results can be considered
reasonably satisfactory; apparently the gradual improvement in the
bacterial quality of ice cream which has been noted for some
years is continuing.
The two private slaughterhouses in the District have not been
licensed since 1940. In 1952 one licence was issued under the
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, for the purpose of slaughtering
at a Public Institution in the District.
The arrangements made to carry out post-mortem inspections
of all animals slaughtered at Cane Hill and Netherne Hospitals for
consumption by the inmates were continued, but in fact no
slaughterings were recorded at the Cane Hill slaughterhouse during
the year.
At Netherne Hospital the carcases and offals of 4 cattle, 1
calf and 15 pigs were inspected for evidence of disease, and a small
quantity of offal only was condemned as unfit for food.
Meat delivered to local butchers' shops from the Wholesale
Meat Supply Association Depot situated outside the District was
inspected on frequent occasions.
The delivery of meat within the Urban District continues to
be made in a type of vehicle which is not conducive to its hygienic
handling. In 1951 the Council made representations to the Ministry
of Food on this matter, suggesting the introduction of hanging
gear in such vehicles, but so far no improvement has been noted.
MEAT.
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