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FOOD INSPECTION.
In order to maintain a high standard of hygiene in food premises constant inspections
of these establishments are carried out by the Sanitary Inspectors. During the year no less
that 4,360 inspections were made. There is still plenty of room for improvement in many
food shops but is is pleasing to note that more and more shopkeepers are turning to partly
enclosed glass display cabinets to protect their products. Cold storage equipment for meat
and other perishable foodstuffs is also being installed to an increasing extent.
In the Borough there are about 1,75° establishments where food is prepared for sale,
or sold, of which 518 are registered in connection with the sale of ice cream or preserved
foods. The types of registered premises are as follows:-
Butchers 128 Greengrocers 19
Wet & Pried Fish Shops 53 Grocers 38
Ice Cream Establishments 280
The number of visits paid to registered food premises was 1,629.
The number of licensed distributors of milk is 243 and 466 licences have been issued
in relation to designated milk sold by them. One premises is registered for the sterilisation
and sale of sterilised milk.
A bottle containing milk was brought to the office which on examination was found to
be encrusted with moulds on the inner surface. Legal proceedings were instituted which
resulted in a fine of £5.
In another case a tin of a proprietory tonic was purchased which contained a portion of
an unsmoked cigarette. The representatives of the proprietors were interviewed and as this
was the first time in the history of the firm that a foreign body had been found in any of
its products it was felt that a warning would meet the case.
An unusual instance of metallic contamination was brought to the attention of the
Department by the School Meals Supervisor. In response to an urgent call a large bowl of
veal jelly was examined at Maryland Central Kitchen. The Jelly was black in colour and on
being analysed was found to be contaminated with lead and copper. The bowl had been recently
retinned and it appeared probable on investigation that an unsuitable alloy resembling solder
had been used instead of pure tin. The bowl was, therefore, withdrawn from service and to
prevent possible recurrence appropriate advice was given and suggestions made to the responsible
officers of the School Meals Service and to the cooks employed in the school kitchens.
A number of warning letters were sent to stall-holders and others in respect of minor
offences such as stalls without the name and address of the stall-holder inscribed thereon,
unclean vehicles transporting food, and depositing crates of bottled milk on the ground.
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