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102
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 attain 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 diffuse education cannot be expected to bring this about. In fact,
much of the work of many of the food hygiene campaigns probably has
little direct effect on the incidence of food poisoning. What is aimed at,
that is a high standard of food hygiene, is desirable in itself whether or
not it helps in reducing illness; and the campaign of the education of
the consumers and future consumers is well worth while if it will lead to
a reduction in some revolting practices of some of those who handle
foodstuffs. At the same time, no one knows what proportion of the
minor illnesses so many suffer from in the course of their lives is due
to some degree of food poisoning, which poisoning might be reduced if
all handlers of food can be educated to decent aesthetic standards.
In the draft of the new Food and Drugs Bill powers were to be given
to the Minister to enable him to make orders extending registration to
any type of food premises. It was expected that such orders would be
made in respect of catering establishments. It seems, however, that
although the Minister will have the necessary powers to make orders
for compulsory registration, these will not be used. Instead reliance is
to be placed on a code of practice which will specify standards. These,
however, will not be compulsory. As they will apply to the whole
country, it is unlikely that they will be of as high a standard as the codes
accepted voluntarily by those in this district who have applied for and
have been granted the food hygiene certificate. In 1950 byelaws will1
respect to the handling, wrapping and delivery of food came into
operation in this district. They, of course, apply to all types of premises
and although in general of a lower standard than those set out in the
codes of practice, they apply to all premises and not merely to those who
elect to accept the higher standards of the codes. But while there are
these legal standards, standards which are lower than is desirable or in
general practicable, standards, too, which are useful in the case of the
chronic offender, little use is made of them as higher standards can be
obtained by agreement. There is in this district no law or byelaw whicl
prohibits dogs being taken into food shops. The practice is undesirable
though, and most shopkeepers agreed in 1952 to exhibit near the entrance
to the shops notices suggesting that dogs should not be taken in. From
the first the mere exhibition of these notices must have had some effect.
By reiteration of the message, the time will come when those who persist