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109
Bacteriological Examination.
Sixteen samples of various kinds of food were taken for
bacteriological examination in the Public Health Laboratory to check
on fitness for human consumption and possible association with cases
of food poisoning.
Three samples of pet foods were examined and no food poisoning
organisms found.
Articles with which food comes into contact, including slicing
machines, were swabbed to check on the standards of cleanliness.
During the year 145 samples of various types of cream were
taken at the request of the Public Health Laboratory Service in
connection with the Cream Survey of the Cream Working Party.
Meat Depots and Imported Food.
There are no slaughterhouses in the Borough and the retail shops
receive their meat from Smithfield and from the local wholesale depots.
Some home killed meat comes from the modern abattoir at Guildford.
There are ten wholesale meat depots in the Borough, the main
group being situated in The Bittoms, with three in Wood Street and one
in Cambridge Road. The meat handled includes fresh meat from within
the British Isles and imported meat from Europe, South America and
Australasia.
During the year numerous visits were paid to the depots and 341
containers of food, almost entirely meat, were received in Kingston
from various ports without having been inspected by Port Health
Inspectors. The majority came from Ireland but some from the continent.
25,848 lbs. of beef imported in contravention of the Imported
Food Regulations, 1968, was required to be exported.
Food Hygiene.
There are 1,624 food premises in the Borough and whilst the
standard of hygiene has been maintained at a reasonably satisfactory
level, it is a subject which calls for constant attention by the
Public Health Inspectors.