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FOOD HYGIENE
In order to utilise our resources to the best advantage and to keep our priorities in order, it is
necessary from time to time to have a stock-taking and examine whether we are doing things in accordance
with modern thoughts and research or in accordance with ideas which are no longer relevant.
In undertaking such an exercise there is a real danger of sacrificing old and tried ideas in favour
of new ideas simply because we wish to be considered modern and up to date in our approach. This is
just as misguided as retaining old ideas because they have always been used. The answer is to take
the best of the new whilst retaining the best of the old. The procedure for the maintenance and improvement
of food hygiene in the field is a subject which calls for such a periodic review. As with all
preventive measures this work is not spectacular but in fact takes about 80% of the time of public health
inspectors in this section. The frequent and informal approach by an inspector relying almost completely
on the impact of his own personality on the food handlers continues to achieve a steady improvement in
general hygiene. It is an insidious re-education bringing about a change of outlook in the various trades
which causes real and permanent improvement by co-operation, rather than the enforcement of a particular
regulation which iscarried out unwillingly and with lack of understanding of its fundamental necessity.
It is a matter of satisfaction in the Section that formal action is seldom necessary and only occasionally
is there any necessity for the institution of proceedings in the courts. Unfortunately a case arises
from time to time when even the most patient and tactful approach by the Inspector concerned is
ineffective. Becauseofobstinacy, over-concentration on the profit motive or sheer laziness, no impact
is possible by informal means and recourse has to be taken to enforce a change by formal means. This
procedure is undertaken more in sorrow than in anger, but it can be borne in mind that such action does
undoubtedly have a salutary effect on those who may not be familiar with local customs and tend to
mistake a friendly informal approach as a sign of weakness and inability to enforce the law when
persuasion fails.
During the year under review two such cases have arisen, viz:-
1. Cafe — Proceedings taken under the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1960 with the result
that the proprietor was fined £2 on each of 17 summonses plus 10/6d cost on each. He was
also disqualified under Section 14 of the Food and Drugs Act 1955 from using the premises as
a cafe for 12 months.
2. Bakehouse — Proceedings taken under the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1960. The
proprietor was fined £5 on each of 16 summonses and 5 gns. cost.