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28 samples of ice cream and 17 ice lollies were also submitted to
the Public Analyst for chemical examination and all proved to be
genuine and complied with the Food (Standard) Regulations. One
lolly however did not comply with the labelling of food order.
(iii) Meat Inspection
There are now four licensed slaughterhouses in the Borough,
one of these being licensed for the slaughter of horses as well as livestock.
Two slaughterhouses are operated by firms of Wholesale
Butchers who supply meat to retail butchers in the Borough and
adjoining districts and provide meat for the London Markets.
Slaughtering takes place on seven days of the week and the
Public Health Inspectors attend the slaughterhouses regularly including
Saturday afternoons and Sundays to ensure that a 100%
inspection of all meat produced in the Borough is maintained.
During the year under review 1,924 such visits were made. During
this period a total of 68,388 animals were slaughtered, a total of
13 tons 6 cwts. 56 lbs. of meat was found to be unfit for human
consumption, this was disposed of through the recognised channels.
Table 12 sets out the particulars of the animals slaughtered and
inspected and the details of condemnation.
The number of animals slaughtered within the district continues
to rise and this year there was an increase of 42% over the total
number of animals slaughtered during the previous year, and is in
fact five times greater than the number slaughtered in 1959.
This continued increase means that in order to maintain 100%
inspection of all carcase meat, the inspectorate are still required to
devote a considerable amount of time outside of normal office hours
to this particular duty.
This department has always considered that meat inspection
is one of the most important aspects of food inspection, and therefore
should be given priority as a public health service, it is for this
reason that every effort is made to carry out 100% inspection in
accordance with the Ministry Memorandum on Meat Inspection.
Unfortunately every local authority does not look upon meat
inspection in this light and the Ministry is now considering ways and
means to introduce regulations to make meat inspection compulsory
and also introducing a system whereby butchers will be charged for
this service.
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