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Three meat pies were purchased when the retailer was suspected of serious negligence with
regard to stock rotation. The pies from three manufacturers were found to have been in store for a
period in excess of the recommended shelf life. A warning was issued to the retailer concerned and
he has now introduced his own system of coding.
Three samples of sausages were found to contain undeclared preservatives; this fact was drawn
to the attention of the retailers.
Food Hygiene
In order to maintain a satisfactory standard of food hygiene in the various premises where
food is handled it is necessary to carry out frequent and regular inspection. This has not been
possible during the year under review owing to shortage of staff.
In order to assess the problem it should be remembered that besides the general selection of
food shops there are, in the borough, some very large factories engaged in food production and many
factory canteens, premises which require frequent and detailed inspection.
There is, in addition, London Airport, with its large transient population, which has attracted
to it a number of large hotels and catering establishments. Any breakdown of hygiene in this field
could have very far-reaching consequences.
The danger of such a breakdown in hygiene is a very real one. In an area where labour
shortage exists the routine task of cleaning either gets completely overlooked or else is left to
inadequately supervised and unsuitable labour.
The number of restaurants operated by immigrants is increasing and it has been found that
these require additional supervision; there usually being a lack of knowledge of the most fundamental
requirements of hygiene.
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