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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
non-permitted colouring matters.
"Rolls and butter" sold in a large factory canteen were found to be rolls
spread with margarine or a mixture of butter and margarine. On investigation
it was found that these rolls, for the mid-morning break, were cut and spread
by the night-shift. Rolls to be filled with cheese were spread with margarine
but were not separated adequately from those spread with butter, and
confusion occurred when the day shift took over. The rolls are now placed
in colour coded cellophane bags.
Food Complaints
During the year, 189 food complaints were received. These were all
investigated and in the majority of cases warning letters were sent. However,
on 34 occasions proceedings were instituted and the results of the legal
proceedings are shown in the appropriate table. Many of the complaints
received concerned mouldy foods, due in most cases to poor stock rotation.
Once again complaints were received concerning the unsatisfactory condition
of milk bottles. Although it must be agreed that many receive considerable
misuse by the public, dairies have a responsibility to ensure that their
products reach the consumer in a sound and wholesome condition.
Unsound Food
All types of food are inspected to ensure their fitness. Frequent requests
from food vendors are received for the inspection of foodstuffs and 31 tons
of food were condemned by the Department.
Food Hygiene
The Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 and the Food Hygiene
(Market Stalls and Delivery Vehicles) Regulations 1966 provide for the
cleanliness of food premises and stalls, etc.
Two manufacturers within the borough export food and to comply with
Import Regulations of countries receiving the goods, ten certificates of fitness,
which must accompany the food, were issued.
Registration of
Food Premises
Premises used for the manufacture, storage and sale of ice-cream or the
preparation or manufacture of preserved and pickled foods, must be registered
by the local authority. There are 759 premises registered in respect of icecream
and 367 in respect of preserved foods.
Middlesex County
Council Act, 1950
Under the Middlesex County Council Act 1950, hawkers of food must be
licensed. Before the licence is granted, vehicles and storage arrangements are
inspected to ensure that they are satisfactory, and at the end of the year 55
persons were licensed as hawkers of food.
Ice-Cream
The manufacture of pre-packed ice-cream is now mainly undertaken by large
organisations which exercise strict quality and hygiene control. In accordance
with the provisions of the Ice-Cream (Heat Treatment, etc.) Regulations
1959, samples of loose or soft ice-cream were submitted for bacteriological
examination. Any samples falling within grades three and four as determined
by the methylene blue test were considered to be unsatisfactory. Traders
with unsatisfactory samples were advised as to proper methods of sterilising
equipment, after which satisfactory results were obtained.
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