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49
its being filled so that fragments were left so attached that they entered
a bottle being filled later. These fragments of glass are potentially
dangerous to the consumer, especially to children sucking up the milk
through straws. The foreign matter in the other instances was of varied
origin ; in most cases, although sometimes unsightly and even revolting,
they would not result in the milk being dangerous to the consumer.
(B) MEAT
At none of the six slaughterhouses in the district is regular slaughtering
carried out. At those used occasionally, 93 pigs belonging to
pig clubs or to private persons were slaughtered; very little disease was
found, only seven lights, one liver and one head having to be condemned.
(C) OTHER FOODS
During the year 3,646 visits were made to food shops or other premises
at which food was stored or prepared. Of these visits 521 were made to
examine foodstuffs which the shopkeeper considered unfit.
The following is a summary of all food found to be unfit for human
consumption:—
Groceries 3,478 lbs.
Fish 1,327 lbs.
Vegetables, Soups, and Pickles 1,479 lbs.
Fruits 2,246 lbs.
Meat and Meat Products 8,693 lbs.
In all cases the food was voluntarily surrendered and either destroyed
locally or dealt with by the Salvage Division of the Ministry of Food.
The total of 17,223 lbs. is an increase of 4,597 lbs., a percentage of
36 on the previous year, though it is less than the quantity dealt with in
each of the three preceding years.
The increase in 1951 was attributable largely to the condemnation of
a large quantity of imported tinned ham which appeared when import
restrictions were lifted (3,279 lbs.) and to an increase in the amount of
home killed beef (2,696 lbs.) condemned. Only a small percentage of
this beef was diseased, condemnation being necessary because of taint
and decomposition due to either poor handling or to unsatisfactory
conditions during storage or transit. This matter was taken up with the
Ministry of Food and an improvement in the condition of supplies coming
into the district was noticeable towards the end of the year.
The amount of wet fish condemned has steadily decreased over the
past five years. It is not possible to say whether this decrease is the
result of improved packing at the ports or speedier distribution from the
market. Both are matters that have been receiving attention during
recent years.
Ice Cream.
The number of premises registered for the manufacture of ice cream
was increased by one during the year to a total of 13. 28 additional
premises were registered for the sale of ice cream, the total registered
for this purpose at the end of the year being 315.
D