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Foodstuff is provided liberally and regularly by wellmeaning bird and
animal lovers, while the widespread dumping of rubbish on undeveloped
parcels of land and the hoarding of unwanted material in gardens provides
more than is necessary in the way of cover. Until there is a change of
outlook in respect of these important contributory factors, a reduction in
the number of complaints is unlikely.
During the year sewers in various parts of the Borough were baited
but only eight out of fifty-nine manholes, where there was evidence of a
possible infestation, were found to be infested. These were dealt with and
the follow-up surveys that were made revealed that the treatment had been
effective.
INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
FOOD AND DRUGS
During the year 402 samples of foodstuff were taken for examination
by the Public Analyst and 1,858 visits were made to food premises.
The Food and Drugs Act 1955 makes it an offence to sell, for human
consumption, foodstuff that is not of the nature, substance or quality
described. Foodstuff must also, in respect of its quality, composition and
nutritional value be correctly described by labelling and in any advertisement.
It is against this background that most of the samples were examined.
In the field of food hygiene, work continued in connection with the
raising of standards in premises where foodstuff is manufactured, stored
or sold. Unfortunately, the number of routine inspections fell away owing
to the demands of the Housing Act, 1969. However, progress was made
and generally throughout the food trade it was found there was a keen
desire to improve and raise standards.
Theprincipalproblemsexperiencedwere(a)thedisposaloftradewaste—
during the period when the Council's Cleansing and Salvage Services were
not operating this was a particularly difficult matter—(b) smoking by shop
assistants—(c) customers taking dogs into food shops.
These are problems that will not be overcome until there is more
earnest desire on the part of all concerned to improve conditions or
desist from undesirable practices.
Having regard to the vast quantities of foodstuff handled and sold
over a period of twelve months for a population in excess of 200,000, the
number of complaints is remarkably low and reflects well on the efforts of
all concerned with foodstuff and food hygiene.
The following is a summary of the samples taken and the complaints
that were lodged with the Department. Whenever an adverse report was
received action was taken with a view to finding the cause of the trouble,
while in the case of complaints, enquiries were made in the hope that
action could be taken to prevent a repetition.