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20
SECTION E.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
With the present-day limitation of the supply of food, it is
vitally important to see that the standard of foodstuffs is maintained
at a high state of purity. The protection of food against
human contamination is also vitally necessary, especially where
community feeding is a common practice. It was because of
these factors that a special enquiry and inspections were begun
at the end of the year into all canteens, hotels, restaurants, etc.,
and it is hoped to be able to show in the following year's report
the progress that has been made. It is, however, pleasing to
note that there has been little food and drug adulteration during
the year, and that there have been no outbreaks of food poisoning.
The assistance given to us by the traders and retailers has
been not only helpful, but very much appreciated by the officers.
Food and Drugs Act, 1938.
Two hundred and ten samples, as tabulated in the Appendix,
were taken under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, 179 of them
being informal and 31 formal. Only one (an informal sample
of fish paste) was found to be inferior. It contained 60 per cent,
of fish instead of 65 per cent., which is the legal minimum. Upon
investigation, the deficiency was found to be due to imperfect
mixing of the paste when in bulk.
Inspection of Food Premises.
There are approximately 270 premises dealing with the sale
and handling of food. These call for routine inspection, and
during the year 697 inspections were made, as follows :
Butchers 87
Fishmongers and Poulterers 73
Grocers 227
Greengrocers and Fruiterers 84
Ice Cream Premises 46
Restaurants 80
Bakeries 64
Confectioners 36
MEAT INSPECTION.
Slaughterhouses.
There are 10 licensed slaughterhouses in the district, to
which 69 visits were paid by the Meat Inspectors. Twelve
slaughtermen were licensed under the provisions of the
Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933. Under the food control regulations,
no slaughtering other than pigs is carried out in the
district.