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2. Food Sampling.
The practice of selective rather than random food sampling has
been continued through the year and 30 per cent of all samples were
reported as irregular. The interest taken by the Public Analyst
(D. D. Moir, Esq., M.Sc., F.R.I.C.) has been most encouraging and
the willing help and advice which he has freely given at all times has
enabled the investgation into irregular samples to be brought to a
successful conclusion. Of the 37 irregular samples, 20 were imported
products whose labels did not conform to the Labelling of Food
Order, 1953, and one cannot help thinking that food sampling adminstration
would be more efficient if imported foods were properly
checked before being distributed throughout the country.
In all cases, however, arrangements with the manufacturers or
importers were approved to remedy the irregularity revealed by the
sampling.
3. Ice-Cream.
There is only one ice-cream manufacturer in the Borough; the
process involves the heat-treatment of the product to a temperature
of not less than 160°F for 10 minutes, and not the high-temperatureshort-time
method (175°F for 15 seconds), which is also permitted
by the Ice-Cream (Heat Treatment) Regulations.
One hundred and sixteen premises are registered for the sale and
storage of ice-cream, and during the year 51 samples were submitted
to the Public Health Laboratory for examination, of which 41 were
satisfactory (Grades I and II) and 10 were unsatisfactory (Grades
III and IV).
Unsatisfactory samples received thorough investigation, and in
8 instances there was evidence that the low grading was due to a
failure to keep sterile the water in which the server was kept. The
proprietors, in each case, were advised on the use of sterilising agents
and subsequent samples proved satisfactory. The remaining 2 samples
were taken from an ice-cream manufacturer whose plant was
thoroughly examined and sterilised and from whom satisfactory
samples were obtained afterwards.
4. Other Foods.
Twenty-three other samples were examined bacterioligically,
these samples included meat products, ice cream server waters, and