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have been mainly due to the inability of inspectors to obtain the true name and address of persons not
complying with the law. Discussions have now taken place between members of the Department,
representatives of the Town Clerk's legal section and the local police. As a result of this the police
have taken a much stronger line with regard to obstruction and have co-operated with the public health
Inspectors in obtaining details of identity. The Food Hygiene (Markets, Stalls and Delivery Vehicles)
Regulations 1966arebeingrigidly applied and registration of hawkers of food and their storage premises
under Section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act 1950 is required. A dramatic improvement has
taken place as a result of warning letters sent to hawkers and compliance has so far been obtained
without recourse to prosecution.
Sampling for Bacteriological Examination
For someconsiderableperiod the Department has taken samplesof cooked meats from shop premises
and as a direct result has been able to secure improvements in general hygiene in excess of the
standards enforceable by legislation. Discussions have taken place from time to time with Dr. Betty
Hobbs of the Central Public Health Laboratory on the results, and guidance received from her as to the
measures necessary to remedy conditions which could lead to unsatisfactory bacteriological samples,
and also on the desirability of including other foodstuffs in the routine sampling particularly those
which are not normally subject to processing by heat before consumption.
As a result of these talks, samples are now taken of artificial and dairy cream sold in cartons and
contained in cakes or meringues, unwrapped meat pies, chicken barbicue, oysters, escallops and liquid
egg. Consideration has been given to the question of the routine sampling of such commodities as
watercress, lettuce, celery, etc., but in the light of experience of the laboratory in carrying out pilot
projects with these types of foodstuffs, routine sampling would not appear to be justified at present.
The routine of food sampling is constantly under review by the Department in the light of experience and
advancing knowledge. Advantage is taken of the work done by the Public Health Laboratory Service in
thedetection of further hazards and of the experience gained in the improvement of laboratory techniques.
Samples of imported whole egg brought in to the Imperial Cold Stores, Tottenham, N.15 are taken
for examination to ascertain whether or not the Alpha-amylase test is satisfactory as an indicator of
adequate pasteurisation. Other spot check samples of yolk or albumen are taken for bacteriological
examination in a specific search for salmonellae organisms.
Food and Drugs Sampling
The Public Analyst for Haringey is Mr. W.B. Chapman B.Sc., F.R.I.C., of the Scientific Division
of the Greater London Council and all chemical analyses are carried out by the G.L.C. laboratories.
Three other London Boroughs have similar arrangements with the G.L.C. and a co-ordinated programme
is carried out by the four boroughs so as to avoid duplication of sampling, each authority being advised
of the results of sampling examinations carried out on behalf of all four boroughs.
Informal samples of a wide variety of food and drugs have been submitted to the Public Analyst
who reported on each sample in relation to the standard laid down in Orders and Regulations including
requirements as to labelling and advertisement. Chemical and biological examinations have also been
carried out for the presence of penicillin or insecticidal residues.
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