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Meat Products. A sample of black pudding was found to contain a pig's eyelashes.
Investigations indicated that this inclusion was the result either of the incomplete preparation
of a pig's head or by the eyelashes accidentally falling back into the mixture during the
skinning of the pig's head. The Public Analyst for Middlesex certified that this foreign
matter was quite harmless although objectionable. A letter of caution was sent to the
manufacturers.
Cheese. A sample of a cheese spread was found to bear a label which was likely to
mislead as to the fat content of the cheese. A letter was addressed to the importers concerned
who took immediate steps to secure a satisfactory amendment of the label.
Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887-1953. 67 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. 171 separate displays of meat, apples, tomatoes and
dried fruit were examined. No serious infringement was disclosed and verbal cautions
were given in respect of those minor infringements which were detected.
The Labelling of Food Order, 1953. At 71 premises 255 articles of pre-packed food were
examined to see that they bore a label which gave a clear statement of the designation of the
food and, in the case of compound foods, the ingredients, and also the name and address
of the packer or labeller. No infringement of this Order was detected.
False or Misleading Descriptions. As in previous years a considerable amount of work
has been done in the detailed scrutiny of advertisements and the labels on pre-packed foods,
and taking suitable action 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 the whole
County irrespective of where within the County offences may be detected. During the year
under review corrective action has been secured in respect of salmon with potato salad,
crystallised jelly pineapple slices, pure egg mundelech, cherry juice, lime juice, imitation
cream filled biscuits, cream filled Easter eggs and cheese. In every case the person responsible
agreed to make necessary suitable amendments to labels as a result of representations.
In no case was it necessary to institute proceedings.
Special Designated Milk. During the year in question 2 licences were issued by Middlesex
County Council in respect of the use of the special designation "Pasteurised" for milk
processed within this area. Each of these premises was regularly inspected and compliance
with the requirements of the Act and of the appropriate Regulations was maintained.
37 samples of pasteurised milk were taken and 3 of these were certified as not being
satisfactory. 2 failed to pass the phosphatase test for heat treatment and the third failed
to pass the methylene blue test for keeping quality. An official caution was sent in respect
of each of these breaches of licence conditions.
Safe Milk. 15 samples of raw milk were procured in this district and submitted to
test for the presence of tubercle bacilli. All were found to be free of such contamination.
Meat Inspections
There is a slaughterhouse at St. Bernard's Hospital, under the control of the North
West Metropolitan Regional Hospital Board. 166 pigs were slaughtered during the year
to meet the needs of the institution. During 1957 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 weekly on Wednesdays and a general weekly market on
Saturdays. Work on improving the hygienic standards of this market was completed in
1956 and in 1957 routine inspections were maintained at least twice weekly to ensure the
maintenance of good standards.
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