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118
Foods, Fitness
and Consumer
Protection
Further protection is afforded to the public not only in
respect of fitness for human consumption but also to provide
that statutory food standards prescribed in various orders and
regulations are adhered to. Furthermore consumer protection
is also afforded by the Labelling of Food Orders and, as
adumbrated elsewhere, the Merchandise Marks Act which
requires that statements relating to the weight constituents
and added substances be affixed to the foods etc.
Frequent inspections are undertaken which, with the
procuration of statutory samples of different foods, make
certain that all foods as defined in the Food and Drugs Act.
1955, and the many Orders etc. made thereunder are suitable
for consumption and also that the public are not defrauded by
the abstraction of any portion of the food or the addition to it
of any harmful substances. Similarly the Inspectors are required
to see that no food which is unfit for human consumption is
sold, stored, offered or deposited for sale etc., and if found
to be unfit for human food, to seize it and institute the
statutory procedure for its condemnation by a Magistrate with
subsequent legal proceedings by the Council.
To obviate this penal proceedure, occupiers of premises
who discover 'unfit' food on their premises, surrender it to the
Council who through the Inspectorate, examine it, certify its
condition and make arrangements for its collection and disposal
in such manner as will prevent its use for human food. This is
a council service much appreciated by the food traders in the
district. Particulars of the work entailed is contained in
Appendix 25.
Naturally some complaints of the condition of food bought
by complainants are received in the department and immediate
enquiry is made into the circumstances inducing the complaint.
The article complained of is examined immediately, the
Medical Officer's opinion obtained and if necessary sent to
the Public Analyst for certification of its condition. The
vendor is afforded an opportunity of examining the food and
written statements taken from prospective witnesses.
61 such complaints were received in 1966. Letters of
warning were sent in 9 cases and legal proceedings taken
in 22 cases and fines totalling £118.0s.Od. plus £89.8s.0d,
costs were imposed.
Sampling Officers, in Redbridge the Medical Officers and
the Public Health Inspectors, take statutory samples of food
and drugs and having satisfied the sampling rules, submit the