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The Food & Drugs Act, 1955, in Section 47, contains new provisions concerning the
descriptions which can be applied to certain substances which resemble cream in appearance
but are not cream. This has necessitated the making of many inspection visits and the
giving of advice to all traders likely to be concerned to ensure that they are fully aware of
these new requirements.
Merchandise Marks Act, 1887-1926. 132 inspections of shops were undertaken to ensure
that the Marking Orders relating to certain imported foodstuffs made under the
Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, were complied with. 1,126 separate displays of meat, apples,
tomatoes, poultry, butter and dried fruit were examined. Verbal cautions were given in
respect of minor infringements not being found so serious as to warrant more stringent
action. No serious infringements were disclosed.
The Labelling of Food Order, 1953. This Order requires that, in general, pre-packed
foods shall bear on the label a clear statement of the designation of the food and, in the case of
compound foods, the ingredients. It also requires that the name and address of the packer
or labeller appears. At 20 premises 65 articles of pre-packed food were examined. No
proceedings were taken in respect of any of the infringements detected and manufacturers
took immediate steps to correct unsatisfactory labels as soon as their attention was drawn to
them.
False or Misleading Descriptions. A considerable amount of work is carried out each
year in scrutinising advertisements and the labelling of pre-packed food and taking such action
as is possible to secure satisfactory amendments in those cases where a label or advertisement
contains a false or misleading description of the food to which it relates. This work is of
benefit to all districts of Middlesex, irrespective of where the offending advertisement or label
is discovered, and during the year under review corrective action has been taken in respect of
cherry wine, biscuits, chocolate Easter eggs, flour and sugar confectionery, imitation caviare,
blackcurrant punch, fruit juice drinks and creme de menthe.
Special Designated Milk. During the year in question one licence was issued by the
Middlesex County Council in respect of the use of the special designation " pasteurised "
for milk processed within your Borough. The premises were inspected regularly and compliance
with the requirements of the Act or Regulations was maintained. 55 samples were
taken, all of which were certified as being satisfactory.
Safe Milk. In addition to the foregoing, 13 samples of raw milk were procured within
the Borough and submitted to test for the presence of tubercle bacilli. None was found
contaminated.
Meat Inspections
There is a slaughterhouse at St. Bernard's Hospital, under the control of the North
West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. 239 pigs were slaughtered during the year to
meet the needs of the institution. During 1956 no meat was required to be surrendered as
being affected by disease. There is no registered slaughterhouse or public abattoir in the
district.
Markets
There is a livestock market held once weekly (Wednesday). In April, 1955, a general
market (Saturday) was commenced. This comprises a mobile canteen, two mobile butchers,
three stalls of packaged foodstuffs, four greengrocery stalls, one stall for the sale of sweets
and other stalls of general merchandise. The private management of the market provided a
newly constructed building containing male and female water closets, wash basins with hot
water. The work on the proper paving and drainage of the market area was completed during
1956, bringing this up to a fair hygienic standard. Individual food stall holders have been
persuaded to keep at hand a clean supply of water, soap and towels. Inspections are made
morning and afternoon each Saturday.
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