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The practice of inculcating interest in the proprietors, directors
and staffs of food handling organisations was continued in 1963, and the
catering industry, as a whole, continues to co-operate.
The lectures and demonstrations with film strips and films to food
handlers and various local organisations were continued in 1963.
(iii) SAMPLING.
The Council has delegated to the Public Health Committee power to
institute legal proceedings under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955.
150 samples (143 formal and 7 informal) were obtained during the
year 1963, 1 formal and 5 informal samples were not satisfactory as
follows
(a) Crispbread (formal).— Claimed to be starch reduced for
slimming, but no warning on label that intake must be carefully
restricted to effect this. Referred to Association of Municipal
Corporations.
(b) Cake (informal).— Contained portion of fruit stalk. No
action.
(c) Orange Drink (informal).— Contaminated with carbolic
disinfectant. A letter of warning was sent in this case.
(d) Fruit Cake (informal).— Contained a field slug. No action
(complainant declined to give evidence).
(e) Slice of Bread and Margarine (informal).—Contained foreign
matter— compact mass of dough. A letter of warning was sent in
this case.
(f) Milk (informal).— Contained coal dust. Legal proceedings
were taken but the retailers were granted an absolute discharge on
payment of £5.5s.0d. costs.
(iv) HAWKERS OF FOOD.
Section 103 of the Essex County Council Act, 1952, came into
operation on 2nd April, 1953, and provides that hawkers of any food, and
premises used for the storage of such food, shall be registered by the
local authority. Registration was granted to 6 persons and 2 premises
were also registered during 1963.