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premises concerned. Of the 1.571 visits to food premises made by the
Public Health Inspectors during the year 556 were detailed inspections
recorded on special inspection cards designed and introduced for the
purpose and 376 notices drawing attention to contraventions of the
Regulations in respect of construction and maintenance, provision of
separate facilities for personal cleansing and for washing food and
equipment, provision of hot and cold water, first-aid kit, locker accommodation,
etc., were served. Because several important provisions of the
Regulations have to be interpreted according to the type of premises
and functions involved the practical application of the new standards to
the wide variety of food premises in the Borough has not been easy,
especially in regard to small shops where business and domestic activities
are combined. Notices served on the occupiers of such premises specify
maximum requirements with the object of securing the highest possible
standard attainable. The recipient of a notice may apply to the local
authority for a certificate exempting his premises from certain requirements
because of restricted accommodation or other special circumstances.
No exemption certificates have so far been granted.
A report on the progress of the detailed survey is given to the
Committee each month by the Chief Public Health Inspector. It should
be appreciated, however, that its success will depend on the ability
of the staff to follow-up and enforce notices already served to ensure
full compliance with the Regulations. It will not be possible, with the
limited staff available, to concentrate on systematic follow-up procedure
until the balance of the 1,500 premises in the Borough have been
subjected to detailed inspection and properly recorded. Although
substantial progress has been made, unless the rate of inspection and
re-inspection can be speeded up, it will be some time before this is
achieved.
It is pleasing to place on record once again appreciation of the
co-operation received from food traders in the Borough, but it should
be realised that the Food Hygiene Regulations are not wholly concerned
with premises, apparatus and equipment ; they also lay down requirements
in respect of the cleanliness of persons engaged in the handling of
food and of their clothing and habits.
In order that food handlers and the public may always have before
them the importance of good food hygiene practice the application of
the statutory provisions should be supplemented with publicity and
education. Unfortunately the depleted staff of Public Health Inspectors
is fully employed in dealing with routine day-to-day matters and there
is little margin to enable this important aspect to receive adequate
attention.
Attention is drawn to the statistics contained in Part II immediately
following this section of the report giving details in tabular form of
premises and persons registered and/or licensed under the Food and
Drugs Act, 1955, and associated legislation. Full details are also given
of inspections, notices, legal proceedings and improvements effected to
business premises as a result of action taken by the Department.