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addition to these Regulations the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food, with the approval of the Food Hygiene Advisory Council under Section
13(8) of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, have published four Codes of Practice dealing
with specific food trades. These are as follows:-
(i) Food Hygiene Codes of Practice - Hygiene in the Retail
Meat Trade;
(ii) Food Hygiene Codes of Practice - The Hygienic Transport
and Handling of Meat;
(iii) Food Hygiene Codes of Practice - Hygiene in the Retail
Fish Trade;
(iv) Food Hygiene Codes of Practice - The Hygienic Transport
and Handling of Fish.
Although these Codes have no statutory force, they provide positive suggestions
for improving conditions in the meat and fish trades and all meat and fish premises in
the Borough have been visited and the Codes of Practice made known to employers and
employees.
There are some 1,121 premises in the Borough which are concerned with some aspect
of the food trades and catering industry. All such premises are subject to regular
inspection; 52 notices were served during the year in relation to contraventions of
the Food Hygiene Regulations and other matters.
The total inspections of business premises numbered some 3,000 odd, and 262 new
registrations and/or licences were dealt with. Routine inspections were carried out at
the Council's Pleasure Ground, Lea Bridge Road, during the Easter, Whitsun and August
Fairs, and the Cricket Festival held at the Sports Ground, High Road, E.10., also
received regular visits.
A steadily improving standard of hygiene in connection with the mobile fair ground
food stalls, is the result, I am convinced, of this requirement for registration in
accordance with the provisions of Section 103 of the Essex County Council Act, 1952,
and their regular inspection whilst stationed in Leyton.
FOOD INSPECTION AND SAMPLING
The investigation of complaints regarding foodstuffs purchased in the Borough has
continued, and it is apparent that members of the public are becoming more aware of the
need for bringing such cases to the attention of the Public Health Department.
During the year 15 such complaints regarding unsound and/or adulterated food were
investigated and reported to the Public Health Committee. The foods implicated were:Bread
and confectionery (10); milk (2); meat (1); butter (1); and sweets (1); while the
reason for complaint was either the appearance of mould growth or the discovery of
foreign matter contained in the article of food. The nature of the extraneous items was
varied and included small quantities of vegetable lubricating oil as used in the larger
baking machines. This type of complaint has increased over the years and is associated
with the increase of machinery in the baking industry. Having regard to the large
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