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96
FOOD.
A very welcome step has been taken by the Ministry of Health
in issuing the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924, but it is
necessary again to point out that local authorities can only endeavour,
very inadequately, to protect the public against contamination
of two articles of food—meat and milk.
The Bye-laws and other legal powers relating to food are
directed to securing ordinary sanitation of the premises; food
obviously dangerous to the public can be seized, but there are
practically no powers to prevent the preparation of food in such
a manner that it is really dangerous to the pubilc health, while
after treatment, appearing sound to ordinary inspection, if inspection
should come that way.
The following notices are used to bring to the attention of the
tenants of food premises, stalls, shops, etc., the sanitary requirements
relating to their premises :—
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the above Regulations have
been made by the Minister of Health.
STALLS, SHOPS, STORES, etc.—GENERAL.
1. "Meat" means the flesh of cattle, swine, sheep, or goats,
including bacon and ham and edible offal and fat, which is sold
or intended for sale for human consumption, and " animal " means
any animal from which meat is derived.
2. " Inspector " means the Medical Officer of Health or any
other Officer of a Local Authority, having under the Acts relating
to Public Health or any Local Act, power to inspect and examine
meat intended for the food of man, and who for the purpose of
ascertaining whether these Regulations are being observed are
empowered at all reasonable times to enter and inspect any
slaughter-house, room, or other place and any stall or vehicle
to which these Regulations apply.