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marking with an indication of origin of certain imported foodstuffs when exposed for sale or
sold, are complied with. Inspections were made at no separate premises of 531 displays of
meat, apples, tomatoes, poultry and dried fruit.
One retail potato merchant was found to be selling old potatoes described by means of a
ticket as " New Potatoes", an official caution was sent.
Labelling of Food Order, 1953. This Order requires pre-packed food to be marked with
the name and address, or with the registered trade mark, of the packer or labeller. It also
requires such food to be labelled with its common or usual name (if any) and with the names
of the ingredients of a compounded food. It also controls the manner in which the presence
of vitamins and minerals is disclosed and prescribes specific labelling of certain foods.
A total of 441 articles of pre-packed food was examined at 116 premises to ascertain
whether the above requirements were complied with; no serious infringements of this Order
were detected.
False or Misleading Descriptions. As in previous years food advertisements and labels
have been scrutinised for false or misleading statements and descriptions. Much of this
scrutiny of food labels can be combined with inspection work under the Labelling of Food
Order. No serious infringements were disclosed. Corrective action was secured in relation
to descriptions applied to " milk block," " Double Tea," an imitation cream powder, cakes
filled with a mixture of butter and sugar, canned mixed vegetables, raspberry syrup, powdered
soup mixes, medium red salmon, gorgonzola cheese spread and cheese spread.
Special Designated Milk. During 1958, Middlesex County Council issued one Dealer's
(Pasteuriser's) licence in respect of premises within this area where milk is processed. These
premises were regularly inspected, and compliance with statutory requirements was well
maintained. A total of 52 samples of designated milk were taken, one of which failed to satisfy
the methylene blue test for keeping quality; an official caution was sent to the processors
concerned.
Safe Milk. In addition to the foregoing, 15 samples of raw milk were procured within
this 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. 220 pigs were slaughtered during the year to meet the
needs of the institution. All were inspected and 120 lbs. of pig meat were condemned.
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. The hygienic standards of this market were improved in 1956 and in 1958 routine
inspections were maintained to ensure the maintenance of good standards.
Food Premises—Inspection
High priority continued to be given to this work and although the staffing position
remained unsatisfactory, the number of visits paid to food premises showed an increase over
the 1957 figure. The standard of premises, equipment, and hygiene continued to be generally
good.
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