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56
condition of premises and on the other on the technique involved. To
encourage those who handle food, the Council issued certificates which
can be earned only if both requirements are met, that is the standard of
fitness and care of the premises and the handling of the food stuffs at
all stages. After the first rush of applications only small numbers have
since been received. Although the campaign started in 1948, it was not
until 1950 that any certificates were issued ; by the end of that year they
had been granted to nearly one quarter of the establishments in this
district dealing with the preparation or the sale of food. By the end of
1953 certificates had been issued to 256 out of the 984 traders in the
district.

These figures do not include large departmental stores.
The third front in the campaign is the education of the consumer.
In this regard much progress has been made in the last year. Talks are
now being given regularly at the schools, including some voluntary
schools, and many talks have been given to various bodies and organisations.
It is hoped that in time not only will those who are future housewives
and food handlers maintain a high standard in their own handling
of food, but being aware of what is necessary will help to raise the standard
of care by those from whom they purchase food.
This side of the campaign is a long-term one which is not likely to
bring about any benefits for some considerable time. In some districts
most effort is concentrated on dealing with the persons handling the
food. Where the response to those approached is good, it is probable
that efforts on these lines will more speedily bring about results and
will sooner be reflected in a reduction in the numbers of cases of food
poisoning. More diffused education cannot be expected to bring this
about. In fact, much of the work of many of the food hygiene campaigns