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vending machines; (4) restrictions on the use of the words "milk", "butter" and "cream"; (5) claims based
on the value in or benefit to be derived from foods; (6) claims as to the presence of vitamins and minerals
in food and foods which are starch reduced or can aid slimming; (7) claims that foods are suitable or have
been specially prepared for diabetics or have tonic, restorative or medicinal properties.
Five hundred and eight inspections were made to check the accuracy of marking and labelling of
food exposed for sale. Warnings were given in 8 instances, and 8 undertakings were received to amend labels
which were in contravention of legislation.
Composition of Food:
Ten formal samples and 643 informal samples were taken. One hundred and twenty-three of these
were submitted to the Public Health Laboratory for bacteriological examination, and 422 to the Public
Analyst. The remaining 98 were examined within the Department.
Twenty samples had adverse reports relating to composition and of these in 9 cases the stock was
returned to the wholesalers, 7 warnings were given to the producers and 4 infringements were referred for
legal proceedings (see "Contaminated and Unsound Foods" page 32, items (9), (15). (16) and (19)).
MILK AND DAIRIES REGULATIONS
The Borough is a specified area in which it is permissible only to sell milk to which a special
designation is applied, i.e. pasteurised, sterilised, ultra-heat treated or untreated. Assuming that the consumption
of milk in the Borough conforms to the national average, about 214,000 pints should be sold daily. The
amount of untreated (Kedassia) milk is less than 12 pints per day.
There is no bottling plant within the Borough. There are 249 persons registered as distributors,
being licensed as dealers in pre-packed milk to which the special designations apply.
Samples of milk were submitted for bacteriological examination and chemical analysis, with the
results shown in Table 40.
On 31st December, 1970, all licences relating to Special Designations expired, and all dealers were
notified accordingly to remind them of the necessity to apply for renewal of their licence for the ensuing
quinquennial period.
REGISTRATION OF HAWKERS
Hawkers of food, and premises used by them for storage accommodation, must be registered with
the Council (Section 11 of the Middlesex County Council Act, 1950).
One hundred and twenty-six hawkers are registered (39 sell fruit and vegetables, 38 have mobile
canteens and hot dog stalls, 29 sell ice-cream, 6 fish, 3 cooked poultry, 3 groceries, 6 sell fish and chips.
1 sells bread and confectionery and 1 sells milk drinks). There were 15 new registrations during the year.
Some hawkers are also licensed street traders at fixed sites. The majority are itinerant, and appear
in the Borough only when events of national or international importance take place at Wembley Stadium
and the Empire Pool. At such times there is an influx of unregistered hawkers who cause problems
relating to the hygienic handling of food commodities. There now appears to be a number of depots in
London from which individuals can hire hot dog trollies under contractural conditions, which vary, as for
example, sales on a commission basis, renting the vending vehicle, or as employees of the owner. Consequently
there are difficulties in establishing ownership when infringements of the Regulations are found and the
problem of false information with regard to names and addresses persists.
PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY SERVICE
(Table 40)
Bacteriological specimens (swabs from sore throats, faeces from intestinal infections, cough plates
and post nasal swabs from whooping cough cases, etc.) are examined by the Public Health Laboratory
Service at the Public Health Laboratory at Central Middlesex Hospital.
Specimens delivered to the Health and Welfare Department and the Health Clinics were collected
and taken to the laboratory at Central Middlesex Hospital. A report by telephone is given to the doctor as
soon as possible followed by a written report.
Samples of milk, ice cream and water are submitted for examination.
The percentage of ice cream samples graded 3 or 4 showed a continued improvement compared with
last year.
The number of swimming bath water samples reported as being below standard showed a reduction
compared with last year. All samples taken from domestic supplies were found to be satisfactory.
Ten uncooked chickens which were examined were found to be satisfactory. Thirty samples of bulk
pasteurised frozen cream were found to be free from pathogens.
FACTORY INSPECTION
The Council supervise sanitary conveniences in all factories and in addition, cleanliness, overcrowding,
temperature, ventilation and drainage of floors in non-power factories. Details of inspections and
notices served, defects found and remedied, are given in Tables 41 and 42.