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122 samples were taken, 85 were Grades 1 or 2, and the remainder
Grades 3 or 4. In the case of the Grade 3 or 4 report, investigations were
made and follow-up samples were taken.
When Grade 3 or 4 samples were obtained of supplies coming into
the district the local authorities concerned were advised. In some of
these cases by arrangement with the Health Department concerned
supplies were sampled at the place of manufacture and locally; in two
instances, this proved of real help in tracing the cause of the trouble.
Registration of Hawkers.
Eleven hawkers were registered under the Middlesex County Council
Act, 1944, ten trading in greengrocery, one as a fishmonger.
Towards the end of the year the Public Health Committee recommended
that, in the interests of food hygiene, the Council should consider
adopting Part IX of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1944, which
deals with street trading.
(D) HYGIENE OF FOOD
By the end of 1950 the Council's certificate had been issued to
nearly one-quarter of the establishments in the district dealing with the
preparation or sale of food. During this last year, further applications
were received, and 27 certificates were issued. The Public Health Committee
felt that a sufficiently large proportion of those in this district dealing
with food had received and were exhibiting the Council's certificate
or the Guild's plaque to warrant the next step in the campaign being
taken, namely, the approach to the public. They therefore decided
to hold a Clean Food Exhibition which was held for a week in September
in the Victoria Hall, Station Road, Harrow. Over 3,000 persons attended,
including 800 members of organised parties from schools or women's
organisations. It was felt that the results justified the expenditure
of money and effort. It had been hoped that one result would have been
a large increase in the number of applications for the issue of the Council's
certificate from those who it was felt would be granted one if they applied.
The exhibition did not do much on these lines, though it did play its
part in stimulating interest in the subject of food hygiene amongst various
organisations which later applied for speakers to address meetings.
The rousing of the interest of the consumers is the third phase of the
campaign. If this can be achieved it will probably be reflected in the
interest of those who deal with foodstuffs who up to this have taken no
action.
Many authorities up and down the country are taking steps to try to
improve the conditions under which food is handled. In Harrow, there
is close contact between the traders and the Public Health Committee
by means of the Food Hygiene Committee on which both sides are
represented. Many helpful suggestions have been made by the Committee
which have been forwarded to the Public Health Committee, and
following these, representations have been made to different departments
on such matters as the conditions under which meat is distributed to
the retailers. As a result of the Public Health Committee's