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Milk-in-Schools Scheme.— Three samples of milk supplied to schools
in the district were taken by the Essex County Council for biological
examination. These were reported to be satisfactory.
Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.—Twenty-six samples of
milk were taken from distributors and submitted for analysis. All of these
samples were certified by the Public Analyst as being genuine milk.
Ice Cream.— Under the provisions of the Essex County Council Act,
1933, with regard to the manufacture and sale of ice cream within the
district, the number of premises and vendors registered under the Act was
sixty-seven. This does not represent the total number of vendors concerned
with the sale of ice cream within the district, as one registration under the
Act is sufficient to cover sales throughout the county.
Thirty-five samples of ice cream were submitted for bacteriological
examination. Although there is no legal standard for bacterial purity in
ice cream the Laboratory reported adversely upon seven samples. The
premises in question were visited and advice given regarding the cleanliness
of utensils and other conditions relating to manufacture and storage.
Three consecutive samples taken from a manufacturer's premises were
found to be unsatisfactory owing to a faulty plant and arrangements were
made by the proprietor to install a new sterilizing apparatus on the premises.
Owing to the close of the season the manufacture of ice cream ceased and
no further samples were obtained. In the four other cases of unsatisfactory
samples, secondary samples gave satisfactory results.
(b) Meat and other Foods.— There are nine slaughterhouses in the
district, four are registered and five are subject to annual licensing. Under
the Slaughter of Animals Act, 1933, nineteen slaughtermen are licensed
for the slaughter of animals. No contraventions were observed.
Two hundred and fifty-one visits were paid to slaughterhouses and
one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven carcases were examined
following slaughter.
The Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924, were observed
satisfactorily.
A very large proportion of the meat consumed in the district is obtained
from the London Markets. There are no meat traders' stalls, and
the butcher's shops are provided with glass fronts.