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25
During the year 39 applications for registration (5 manufacturers
and 34 vendors) were granted.
At the end of the year 18 persons and premises were registered
for manufacture and 210 for the storage and/or sale of ice cream.
It will be. seen that a generous standard of sampling was
practised during the year and a note on the results is to be seen
below.
Number of samples taken 92
Number satisfactory 79
Number unsatisfactory 13
It will be seen that some 79 samples out of 92 proved satisfactory.
1 am convinced that ice cream is a good example of one
food product in which the methods of production, distribution and
handling generally have been very substantially improved, largely
as a result of public concern and interest. It is our experience that
manufacturers almost without exception are keenly alive to the
necessity for maintaining the highest standards and any even minor
variation from a satisfactory standard is taken by them most
seriously. The small trader who distributes the products of a larger
firm is also encouraged thereby to give the fullest care to the
product once it has arrived in his shop and pending its distribution
to the public.
The composition of ice cream engaged our serious attention this
year and representations were made to the Minister of Food with
a view to securing whenever possible satisfactory standards of food
value for this product. Until times are much more normal the
ordination of a desirably high standard may not be possible but the
interest of all the authorities responsible is clearly not wanting and
the desirable standards will be insisted upon as soon as practicable.
The pre-packed article has the advantage that—presuming
satisfactory production—the consumer has the cleanliness factor
literally in his own hands.
Preserved Food Manufacturers.
Section 90 of the Hornchurch Urban District Council Act,
1936, requires registration of preserved food manufacturers and
premises. Eleven applications for registration as manufacturers of
preserved meat were granted during the year. At the end of the
year, 52 persons and premises were registered for the manufacture
of preserved meat (sausages).
Food Hygiene.
The year was signalised by the confirmation of byelaws by the
Minister made under Section 15 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938,
and which came into operation on the 3rd July, 1950. This gives
us considerably more discretion in dealing with especially the
hygienic conditions governing the delivery and sale of food.
As I believe that traders may more easily and lastingly be
persuaded into commendable practices rather than legislated into
them, a plan was drawn up of meetings with the various classes of