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The Essex County Council Act, 1952, Section 105, requires that as
from 2nd April, 1953, any person intending to use premises which were
not used immediately before that date for the sale, storage, or preparation
for sale of any food (other than milk) intended for human consumption
shall give not less than 14 days' notice to the Council of his intention so
to do.
The whole-time services of two Public Health Inspectors are utilised to
deal with food preparing premises, factory canteen premises and food and
drugs sampling. During 1958, they made 13,429 inspections of food shops
and food preparing premises. 130 informal and 2 formal notices were
served under the Food and Drugs Act, and 5 formal and 132 informal
notices were complied with including 3 formal and 30 informal notices
served prior to 1958.
(ii) Food Hygiene.

The practice of inculcating interest in the proprietors, directors and
staffs of food handling organisations was continued in 1958, and the catering
industry, as a whole, continues to co-operate.
The lectures and demonstrations with film strips and films to food
handlers were continued in 1958.
Education in food hygiene has been extended to the senior schools and
to study groups of various local organisations.
(iii) Sampling.
The Council has delegated to the Public Health Committee power to
institute legal proceedings under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955.
218 samples (209 formal and 9 informal) were obtained during the year
1958; 4 formal and 2 informal samples were not satisfactory as follows:—
(a) Beef Sausages (formal).—Contained sulphur dioxide but no
declaration of preservative [Public Health (Preservatives, etc., in Food)
Regulation]. A letter of warning was sent to the retailer.
(b) Gin (formal).—Sample contained only 68.7% proof spirit instead
of 70% as stated on label. Distiller's attention drawn by letter.
(c) Milk Loaf (formal).—Slight deficiency of skimmed milk powder.
Letter to manufacturers drawing attention to deficiency.
(d) Non-brewed Vinegar (format).—Offered for sale in bottle
embossed "Genuine Malt Vinegar" but bearing label non-brewed
condiment. Letter to manufacturers drawing attention to misleading
bottle.