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seemed to be far above the normal. The fruit was usually shown in barrels, crates,
and other packages from which the lids were removed, and only the top layer of
fruit or vegetables could be seen. On one occasion, 110 barrels of pears were
exposed for sale "subject to sorting." Of this number, there were only two
barrels of sound pears amongst them. The following communication was sent to
all fruit and vegetable salesmen in the market, drawing their attention to the
provisions of the Public Health Act, with regard to unsound food :—
28th August, 1908.
The Public Health Committee of this Council have been informed that
it is the practice amongst the salesmen of Spitalfields Market to offer fruit
and vegetables for sale "subject to being sorted," and that this year the
quantity of unsound fruit contained in the barrels and other packages
appears to be abnormally high.
The Committee, therefore, desire to draw your attention to section 47
of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, relating to unsound food, which
(inter alia) provides that—
"Any article, whether solid or liquid, intended for the food of man,
"and sold, or exposed for sale, or deposited in any place for the
" purpose of sale or of preparation for sale,"
and which appears to the Medical Officer of Health or Sanitary Inspector
"to be diseased, or unsound, or unwholesome, or unfit, for the food
"of man "
is liable to be seized and condemned by a Police Magistrate, and legal proceedings
may be instituted for the necessary recovery of heavy penalties
against persons to whom any unsound articles of food belong, or on whose
premises such articles are found.
The Committee are extremely anxious to stop any attempts to sell to
the public unsound fruit or vegetables, which, if eaten, are likely to have
serious effects, especially at this period of the year, and you are therefore
asked to assist the Committee in their efforts, on behalf of the health of the
people, by seeing that no unsound fruit or vegetables are disposed of for the
purpose of human consumption.
Your attention is called to the fact that the Council are required by the
Act mentioned, upon receipt of written notice, to remove any unsound food
as if it were trade refuse. Such notices should be sent to the Public Health
Offices, 43, White Horse Street, E.
This circular undoubtedly had a good effect, less unsound fruit being deposited
for sale and a larger quantity being surrendered voluntary than before it was issued.