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51
The P.H. (Meat) (Amendment) Regulations 1952 amend the 1924
Regulations by extending the definition of 'animals' to include 'horses,
asses and mules.' Persons intending to slaughter animals for sale for
human consumption must give the local authority three hours' notice of
the time and place of slaughter.
(C) OTHER FOODS
Food Condemned.
The following is a summary of all foods found to be unsound or
unfit for human consumption:—
Groceries, Miscellaneous 7,543 lbs.
Fish and Fish Products 1,475½ lbs.
Vegetables, Soups and Pickles 4,579 lbs.
Fruit 3,131½ lbs.
Meat and Meat Products 8,338 lbs.
With the exception of one case, when a quantity of beef was formally
seized and taken before the magistrates for condemnation prior to a
successful prosecution, all food was voluntarily surrendered by traders
who freely seek advice about food of doubtful fitness.
The total of 25,067 lbs. is an increase of nearly 50 per cent. on the
amount condemned in 1951, and is, in fact, the highest quantity condemned
in post-war years. With the exception of tinned ham, wet fish
and shell eggs, the increase was general, though the increase in groceries
is partly because of the need to condemn perishable goods, including
3,071 lbs. of sugar, which were contaminated by flood water. The bulk
of the sugar was salvaged for refining.
In spite of representations to the Ministry of Food about transport
arrangements, the amount of home killed carcase meat condemned
(3,270 lbs.) because of spoiling in storage and transit as distinct from
organic disease is the highest figure yet recorded here. The factors causing
the spoilage occur outside and not in the Harrow District. The fall
in the number of bad eggs condemned (8,532 in 1950 to 449 in 1952),
suggests that improvements can be brought about by more careful and
speedier handling at docks and distribution centres.
The amount of unsound tinned fruit is greater because more is
available. Most of the damage was the result of chemical action, not
due to the effect of bacteria.
Ice Cream.
During the year 104 samples of ice cream were taken; 83 were
Grades 1 or 2 and the remainder Grades 3 or 4. In the case of these
latter, investigations were made and follow-up samples were taken.
Nineteen premises were registered during the year for the sale of
ice cream, 17 for the prepacked product, two for the sale of loose ice
cream. The number on the register at the end of the year was 334.
No new premises were registered during the year for the manufacture
of ice cream, the number of manufacturers registered being 13.