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Sampling of washing up water and swab testing of food utensils
and equipment, continued, including a series at the Slaughterhouse.
A very useful purpose was served in respect of the latter as it was
shown that with the regular proper use of a good liquid sterilising
agent, bacterial counts could be greatly reduced, and washing-up
water and swabs from slaughtermen's steels, saws and knives,
and washing down cloths etc., made negative to the coliform test.
Some prosecutions were taken during the year, under the Food
and Drugs Act, 1955. A butcher was prosecuted under Section
8 for selling a joint of meat which was unfit for human consumption
and was fined £10 with £3 3s. Od. costs. He appealed against
this conviction to Quarter Sessions in and for the County of Middlesex.
His appeal was dismissed and costs awarded to the Council.
A firm of mineral water manufacturers was prosecuted under
Section 2, for selling a bottle of lemonade containing the carcase
of a mouse, and was fined £5 with costs.
A baker was prosecuted under Section 2 for selling a loaf of
bread containing rodent excreta and was fined £20 and costs.
A firm making meat pies was prosecuted under Section 8, for
selling a mouldy pork pie and was fined £5 with costs.
A grocer was prosecuted under Section 8, for selling a cream
filled Swiss Roll which was unfit for human consumption and was
fined £20 with costs. This grocer was further prosecuted under
Section 8 in respect of another of his Stores for selling a chocolate
flavoured Swiss Roll, which was unfit for human consumption and
was fined £25 with costs.
In view of the continued importance of food hygiene, arrangements
were made for two of the Department's Public Health Inspectors
to attend an 18 weeks Refresher Course in Meat Inspection
at the National College of Food Technology, London, on one evening
a week.