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44
SECTION E.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOODS.
The Food and Drugs Act. 1955. came into operation on the
1st January, 1956. This Act is a consolidation measure, as besides
repealing the 1954 Act. it consolidates it with the Food and Drugs
Act. 1938. the Food and Drugs (Milk. Dairies and Artificial Cream)
Act, 1950. and other legislation, while amending Part V of the
1938 Act in connection with Slaughterhouses and Knackers Yards.
The Food Hygiene Regulations. 1955. made under Section 13
of the Food and Drugs Act. 1955. were promoted for securing the
observance of sanitary and cleanly conditions and practices in connection
with the sale of food for human consumption, and came
into operation during 1956. The Regulations provide for the more
hygienic handling of food, cleanliness of food premises, etc.. and
equipment.
Generally, the standard of food preparing places and retail food
shops is fairly high. The department is appreciative of the cooperation
of the traders who, in the main, have welcomed the advice
offered by the Inspectorate staff.
Some difficulty has been experienced when applying the " No
Smoking " rule, but it may be said that this apparently unpopular
regulation has now been resolved and without recourse to legal
action.
Considerable help has been given by some traders in making
their open-fronted shops into closed and more hygienically constructed
shops. The owners of several fish and fruiterers and
greengrocery shops have made suitable alterations.
In some cases roller-shuttered doors have been replaced with
open-and-shut doors which is an improvement to prevent dust,
dirt. etc.. from contaminating the foodstuffs during inclement
weather and which add much to the comfort of the customers and
assistants during the periods of cold weather.
It would be helpful if all open food, whether or not in a forecourt,
was placed at least eighteen inches above ground level in all
shops. There is. however, a regulation that may be applied to
remedy this matter but this means in obstinate cases, recourse to
legal action.
There are a few self-service food stores in the Borough and it
is anticipated that more are on the way.
The provision of refrigerated counters, bins. etc.. will eventually
have to be made to prevent spoilation of food.