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on corned beef. Three sample tins from the same batch were
submitted to the analyst who reported that this was iron
sulphide staining from the tins. This batch was withdrawn
from sale.
(vii) Food Hygiene Regulations, 1955
The Public Health Inspectors continue to devote a considerable
amount of time to the inspection of food premises of all
types to ensure that the requirements of the above Regulations
are complied with.
Provision is not made in these Regulations for the Service
of Statutory Notices in the case of contraventions and legally every
contravention found by the Inspectors could result in prosecution.
However, in practice it is rare that the contraventions observed
are sufficiently serious as to warrant immediate legal action. When
contraventions are noted they are immediately drawn to the
attention of the occupier and the need for improvement
explained this verbal intimation is always followed by a letter
indicating the nature of the offence and allowing the offender a
period of grace in which to comply with the Regulations. This
procedure has been adopted with a view to educating food traders
rather than to prosecute, and it appears to be paying dividends as
the general standard of food shops in the district has greatly
improved
In addition to the inspection of food shops and restaurants
frequent visits are made to factory and school canteens and other
food preparing premises.
In addition to routine inspections, visits were made to
restaurants and school canteens for the sole purpose of taking
samples of the "washing up" water, and "rinsing water", to ensure
that (a) the water was kept at a suitable temperature, (b) the right
type of steriliser/detergent was used and (c) that the waters were
changed at frequent intervals. The results of all samples submitted
for bacteriological examinations were satisfactory.
The two main difficulties experienced with the enforcement
of the Regulations are (a) the protection of open foodstuffs exposed
for sale on stalls in the open market and (b) smoking by
food handlers.
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