London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Merton 1970

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Merton]

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they are given careful attention. During the Annual Tennis Championship
Meetings, at Wimbledon, complete inspections of all catering
points are made, and facilities are afforded by the caterers for the
taking of food samples, and for swabbing of utensils, etc., for bacteriological
examination. I would like to record my appreciation of the
assistance given on these occasions by the Club Officials and the staff
of the catering contractors.
The annual Mitcham Fair also receives the attention of the
Department, and it is now the practice of the Director of Parks and
Cemetries to submit to me applications from food vendors for a site
within the perimeter of the Fair, for an opinion as to the standard of
food hygiene attained by the applicant. I greatly appreciate the cooperation
of the Director in maintaining a high standard.
The catering contract at Merton Show was revised for the 1970
show and the inspection arrangements which were put into operation
will, I hope, become the pattern for future occasions.
Fairs on Wimbledon and Mitcham Commons are visited and food
vending points are given particular attention. I think it must be
appreciated that most of this work is carried out by the Public Health
Inspectors outside normal hours, but it is important work, which is
well worth while.

The provisional register of food premises includes the following:-

Greengrocers141
Confectioners218
Ice-cream premises408
Bakers67
Grocers and Provision Dealers186
Butchers102
Fishmongers and Fish Fryers55
Milk Distributors122
Chemists43
Licensed premises243
Clubs49
Restaurants and Cafes149
Works Canteens75
School Canteens and Kitchens100
Food Stalls/Vehicles187
Places of Public Entertainment37
2,182

This list does not include manufacturing factory premises.
The number of food premises registered in accordance with
Section 16 of the Act is as follows:—
Registered for the storage and sale of ice-cream 521
Registered for the manufacture and sale of ice-cream 6
Registered for the preparation or manufacture of
sausages 75
Registered for the preparation or manufacture of
potted, pressed, pickled or preserved food 183
The number of inspections of registered food premises during
1970 was 1,036.
72