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23
The list I have given whilst bringing into relief the fact that food
complaints naturally occur and are often justified, does not mean that
in fact we are more unfortunate in this regard than any other district
of our size. Very often the chain of evidence is such that the possibility
of fault not being laid at the door of the person from whom the article
was brought or of the manufacturer is considerable and naturally it is
only where the evidence appears unequivocal that legal proceedings are
taken.
Every effort is made in the course of routine inspections by the
staff to avoid the conditions which give rise to complaints and our
local traders it must be said prove most co-operative. Dirty milk
bottles represent an annual cause for complaint and one with which if
the milk is produced outside our area it may not easily be possible to
deal. Although the bottling firms are naturally deemed responsible
for the condition of the bottles when they leave their premises, it is
natural and clear that on occasions despite precautions a " dirty "
bottle does escape into distribution. If, however, each milk consumer
was at as great pains to ensure that the used milk bottle was returned
in reasonable condition to the dairy as the dairy is to see that the bottle
arrives at the consumer in reasonable condition, then many of the
complaints as to dirty milk bottles would never arise. It should surely
be quite easy thoroughly to rinse a bottle after use and prior to collection
by the milkman. It is unfair that having on occasions been used for
a variety of purposes, such bottle should eventually be returned to the
dairy. This is no argument in favour of slackness on the part of the
dairies; it is merely a recognition of the fact that the human element
does creep into the issue of clean milk bottles as to everything else and
whilst individual cases may be dealt with legally and prove a certain
deterrent, the most profitable course of action is to have it clearly
realised that responsibility in the matter rests alike hygienically upon
the vendor and the consumer.

Food Hygiene.
During the year an exhibit was staged in concert with Romford
and Dagenham at "The Three Towns' Show" and considerable public
interest was manifested in the display.