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Continuing the practice carried out for many years in this Borough, 58 samples
of milk were obtained from milk roundsmen in the early hours of the morning (luring
deliveries to schools, hospitals and institutions in the Borough. Twenty-two of
the samples were submitted for the Phosphatase test, 22 for the Methylene Blue test
and 14 for chemical examination.
Routine visits to milk distributors were carried out during the year. Defects
at 14 milk premises were found and remedied and three informal notices were served
upon the responsible persons to remedy defects.
Food Bye-laws.
The County Council Bye-laws for the Protection of Pood, made under Section
15 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, came into operation in November, 1952.
Copies of the Bye-laws have been sent to food traders in the Borough, and the
Sanitary Inspectors have in many cases explained the provisions of the Bye-laws
to them.
Catering Establishments.
The satisfactory work of the previous year towards securing the improvement
of conditions prevailing in restaurants, cafes and canteens in the Borough was
continued, and much valuable work has been done to improve the standard prevailing,
particularly with regard to the kitchen accommodation. A total of 1,044
inspections of restaurants and cafes, and 348 inspections of factory and school
canteens were made.
Essential work to food storage and food preparation rooms was carried out
at 105 premises. Some 243 defects were remedied during the year. Additional
washing-up sinks were installed in 34 establishments.
The occupiers of the majority of the catering establishments continued to be
co-operative and showed willingness to improve the facilities and conditions of their
premises. It was only necessary in 30 instances to serve notices requiring work to
be carried out, and in only five cases was it necessary for the Sanitary Inspector
to serve a formal notice under the Food and Drugs Act, 1938. In no case was it
found necessary to institute legal proceedings.
Co-operation was maintained between the Health Department and the local
office of the Ministry of Food. Details of all new applications for catering licences
were forwarded by the Ministry of Food in order that the premises might be inspected
by the officers of the Council to ensure that they comply with the Council's
requirements before the Ministry of Food's licence was issued.
Ice Cream.
There were 340 registered ice-cream premises in the Borough at the end of the
year, of which eight were used for the manufacture of ice-cream. The majority
of the dealers sell pre-packed ice cream only.
Routine visits are made to all the premises, and during the year some 23 defects
were found and remedied. Three informal notices were served. No formal notices
were found necessary.
The premises of each new applicant for registration are inspected in order to
ensure that they are satisfactory and that the requirements of the Heat Treatment
Regulations are fully understood.
During the year 34 samples of ice cream were submitted to the Laboratory for
grading by the Methylene Blue test, and the results were as follows:—
Grade. Grade.
I 15 III 14
II 5 IV nil
In addition, four samples were submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical
analysis and to ascertain the fat content. All the samples were reported to contain
between 10 per cent. and 15 per cent. of fat.
Where the results of the analysis were unsatisfactory or showed poor quality
ice cream, investigation of the methods of handling or manufacture were closely
examined, and the persons concerned advised.
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