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37
Constant attention was given to the inspection of premises,
including street hawkers' premises where food was offered or
exposed for sale or had been deposited with or consigned to
any person for the purpose of sale or of preparation for sale.
As a precaution against contamination of food attention was
given to the observance of cleanliness by persons employed in
food stores, bqth in regard to the rooms and all articles,
apparatus and utensils therein, and in regard to themselves
and their clothing. Where necessary suitable washing basins
and a sufficient supply of clean water, both hot and cold, soap
and clean towels were provided.
For some considerable time an understanding has existed
between the Public Health Department and the local food
retailers whereby retailers notify us of any article of food
about the quality of which they were in doubt and before
such article was exposed for sale on their premises. By these
means a large amount of food, unwholesome or unfit for human
consumption, was withdrawn from sale. In each case a
certificate of unfitness detailing the article was issued to the
retailer who in turn forwarded it to his wholesaler, so that
the replacement might be effected. A copy of such a note
was sent to the Local Food Control Officer for his guidance
in the adjustment of food rations to those concerned.
A considerable amount of food was condemned as being
unfit for human consumption and was destroyed by incineration.
Total quantity of Canned Foods condemned 5161
Total weight of other Foods condemned 5 tons 14 cwts.
Informal action taken in connection with Food Shops and
Food Stores:
78 notices were served on occupiers of Shops and
Stores for infringements of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938,
where proper precautions were not being taken against
contamination of food. At the end of the year a remedy
had been effected in 47 instances.