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(iii) Shops, Vehicles, etc.
For obvious reasons it was not possible to visit
retail food shops in a systematic manner during the year,
but they received attention as and when opportunity presented
itself and, of course, in every case when a complaint was
received.
Apart from the actual inspection of foods there is
the matter of hygiene of food shops','and personal hygiene on
the part of staff employed in and about these premises.
TheFood & Drugs Act covers all these subjects up to a point,
but there are definite limitations in the scope of the Statute,
Immediately sufficient staff is available for the purpose,
systematic visits to all foodshops will be resumed,,
During the course of the year it was found
necessary on more than one occasion to draw attention to the
unsatisfactory condition of food delivery vans0 As might be
expected, the explanation offered was the usual one of
inability the raise the standard owing to prevailing war conditions,
but this was not altogether acceptable , The need
for improvement was pressed and arrangements were made for
more frequent cleansing of the interiors of the vehicles
and for the provision of suitable trays and other equipment.
The improvements which were effected filled the immediate
requirements but generally, the subject of food'transport is
one which needs constant supervision and indeed, it should be
reviewed on a national basis, with the full co-operation of
manufacturers, wholesalers, transport companies, retail
traders, and technical experts,
(c) adulteration - Food and Drugs Act, 1958,
A total of 91 samples were submitted to the Public
Analyst during the year. Of these 91, only 2 were the subject
of adverse reports. The details are given in the tabulated
statedment of action taken.
In the case of Malted Soya Cream there were
certain discrepancies between the contents described on the
label and the actual ingredients in the package. There was
also considerable doubt whether the claims set out on the
label could be justified. Upon further investigation it was
found that the package was part of a consignment which had
been received at the shop from which it was purchased, at a
date prior to the date when the Labelling of Food Order came
into force. The firm in question submitted specimens of the
new labels and copy of correspondence which had passed