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32
FOOD UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION
Five cwts. seventy-nine lbs. of meat and other foods examined by the Public Health Inspectors was
found to be unfit for human consumption and was destroyed.
SLAUGHTERHOUSE
There is one private slaughterhouse licensed in the Borough and two slaughtermen are licensed
to work in it. Particulars of inspections, carcases inspected and condemned are shown in Table 37.
THE LIQUID EGG (PASTEURISATION) REGULATIONS, 1963
The quantity of pasteurised liquid egg used annually in the manufacture of bakery and confectionery
products is approximately 1,500 tons. As there is not a registered pasteurising plant within the Borough,
the supply is obtained from authorised sources elsewhere.
CONTAMINATED AND UNSOUND FOODS
One hundred and twenty complaints about foodstuffs were received (Table 38). They varied from
allegations of souring, decomposition, mouldiness, dirt, foreign bodies to insect infestation. Upon examination
of the foods, fourteen of the complaints were not found to be justified. Seven were referred to other local
authorities. In 35 instances no further action was taken. Fifty-two warning letters were sent and 12 prosecutions
were taken.
The results of the prosecutions heard which included 13 cases not reported upon in 1969 were:—
1. Ham out of condition—Case withdrawn.
2. Fresh cream out of condition—Case dismissed.
3. Maggots in sausages—Fined £30, £5.5.0 costs.
4. Mouldy Yoghourt—Fined £3, £1 costs.
5. Mouldy loaf—Case withdrawn—Unreliable witness.
6. Bacon out of condition—Case withdrawn—Witness ill.
7. Mouldy dessert cream—Fined £10.
8. Mouldy loaf—Case withdrawn—Unreliable witness.
9. Foreign matter in bottle of milk—Case withdrawn.
10. Insects in biscuits—Fined £10, £5.5.0 costs.
11. Insects in biscuits—Fined £10.
12. Mouldy sausages—Case withdrawn—Witness did not attend.
13. Mouldy pork pie—Case withdrawn—Other legal proceedings taken.
14. Unsound Chicken—Case dismissed.
15. Dirty bottle of milk—Fined £75, £10.10.0 costs.
16. Insect in meat pie—Fined £20. £5 costs.
17. Maggots in sausages—Fined £10, £5 costs.
18. Mouldy loaf—Fined £15, £5 costs.
19. Foreign matter in bottle of milk—Case not proceeded with—Witness left district.
The remaining six cases are incomplete.
The occupiers of 9 premises were found to have food exposed for sale or in their possession for the
purpose of sale which was unfit for human consumption, and which was seized and removed and was condemned
by a Justice of the Peace. The following penalties were imposed:—
1. Cereals, Cooked Meats, contaminated by mice—Fined £60, £5.5.0 costs.
2. Rice, contaminated by mice—Fined £25.
3. Sugar, contaminated by mice—Fined £40, £5 costs.
4. Currants, contaminated by mice—Fined £50, £5 costs.
5. Rice, contaminated by mice—Fined £20.
6. Meat—Fined £40, £15 costs.
The three remaining cases are incomplete.
SAMPLING OF FOOD AND DRUGS
(Table 39)
By the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act 1955, the Council became a food and drugs
Authority on 1st April 1965. The Medical Officer of Health and the Public Health Inspectors are authorised
officers for the purposes of the Act.
Marking and Labelling of Food—Labelling of Food Order, 1953 and Labelling of Food Regulations, 1970.
Whilst it is not at present a requirement to identify by a label, the type or variety of an open food,
any misdescription may be a contravention of the Food and Drugs Act. Certain pre-packed or canned
foods must, however, by the above mentioned Orders and Regulations, bear the name of the food, its ingredients
and the name and address of the packer or a registered trade mark. Some imported foods must, when
exposed for sale, carry an indication of the Country of origin in accordance with the Merchandise Marks
Acts. The afore-mentioned Regulations contain provisions which do not come into operation until 1st
January, 1973, concerning (1) the labelling of pre-packed food sold by retail and otherwise, (2) the labelling
of certain foods for sale by retail which are not pre-packed; (3) the advertisement of food for sale from