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Licensing of Slaughterhouses and Slaughtermen.
Of the two licensed slaughterhouses in the Borough one is not being used at
the present time.
Ten slaughtermen's licences were issued to slaughtermen working at the
Plumstead Abattoir, permitting them to slaughter sheep, pigs, calves and cattle
only. All the applicants were experienced slaughtermen.
Itinerant Vendors.
Surveillance of street traders in the Borough continued throughout the year.
A good standard of cleanliness was maintained in respect of these vehicles. In
two instances it became necessary to serve notices in respect of vehicles which
were not displaying the name and address of the trader.
Catering Establishments.
The improvement of conditions in restaurants, cafes and canteens in the
Borough was continued, and more work was done under the supervision of the
Sanitary Inspectors to improve standards prevailing, particularly the kitchen
accommodation.
A total of 643 inspections of restaurants and cafes, and 257 of factory and school
canteens were made.
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, however, necessary in 22 instances to serve informal notices
requiring work to be carried out, and in six cases this was followed by a formal
notice under the Food and Drugs Act. Some 130 defects were remedied during
the year. In no case was it found necessary to institute legal proceedings.
Basement Bakehouses.
The owners of two basement bakehouses in the Borough, namely, those at
31, Vincent Road and 15, Woolwich New Road, S.E. 18, informed the Council
during the year that they had discontinued baking at these premises and did not
intend to use the premises as bakehouses again. In these circumstances the Council
have now withdrawn the Certificates of Suitability issued under Section 54 of the
Factories Act, 1937 ; these Certificates having been renewed each succeeding -five
years since 1938.
Unsound Food : Examination of Food Suspected of Being Unsound.
The routine examination of food suspected of being unsound was carried out
throughout the year in order to ensure that no food unfit for human consumption
was sold or displayed for sale. The co-operation of the food traders is, of course,
very important in this matter, and numerous requests are received from traders
for an inspection to be carried out of suspected foodstuffs, and a large amount of
food is surrendered as unfit for consumption and Condemnation Certificates issued.
Altogether, 24,336 articles of food, weighing approximately 62 tons, were
condemned as unfit during the year, the majority of these articles, weighing
approximately 50 tons, being from the large Abattoir in the Borough.
Complaints of Unsound Food.
During 1955, 46 complaints regarding food were received. The majority of
these referred to foreign bodies in food. There were 12 such complaints which
related to bread, seven to milk, four to cakes and pies, two to sweets and chocolates,
and three in respect of tinned foods.
The alleged foreign bodies complained of included glass, string, metal bolts,
pins, stones, wood, flies, worms and maggots. The bakers responsible were in each
case warned.
The Council decided to send warning letters to the suppliers of the food in eight
cases, and in two further cases, concerning glass found in chocolate and metal
found in bread, the Council decided to institute legal proceedings. Costs totalling
£10 10s. Od. were awarded to the Council in respect of these cases.
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