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25
hundred and ninety-seven inspections were made of butchers' shops
and butchers' stalls in market streets and eighty-three visits were
made to food factories. Thirty-one notices were served under the
Meat Regulations and thirty-six notices were issued in respect of
other food premises or articles therein. No further action was
necessary.
Following the outbreak of war regular visits were made to the
newly.-established meat distribution depot from which is supplied
all the meat, other than kosher, issued to this and three neighbouring
boroughs. Licences were renewed to fifteen slaughtermen and
applications were received for two new licences which were granted.
There was one prosecution in respect of the illegal occupation
of an underground bakehouse and a fine of £1 was imposed.
Six tons three hundredweights of foodstuffs were condemned
and surrendered for destruction, and in five instances formal seizures
of food were made. Legal proceedings were taken in respect of one
of the seizures resulting in the defendant being fined £5 Os. Od. and
ordered to pay five guineas costs, but in the other cases further legal
action was not considered necessary.
ADULTERATION OF FOOD.
Nine hundred and ten formal samples of various foods,
including three hundred and sixty-five of milk, were obtained for
analysis, and seventeen of these were reported as adulterated,
thirteen of the adulterations being of samples of milk. One hundred
and thirty-four informal samples were analysed and of these, eleven
were reported adulterated. Warnings were given to the vendors of
the adulterated samples except in three instances in which proceedings
were taken for adulterated milk samples. No fines were imposed
in respect of these samples but the vendors were ordered to pay costs
amounting to £5 5s. Od.
The average composition of all the formal milk samples taken
was 3.5 per cent, milk fat and 8.93 solids not fat.
Thirty formal samples of condensed milk were obtained and
analysed and one of these was reported not genuine.
Samples of dried milk taken during the year complied with the
regulations applicable thereto and samples of dried milk submitted
for bacteriological examination were reported satisfactory.
A number of warnings were given for offences against Orders
made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, and proceedings were
taken in respect of three offences resulting in fines and costs totalling
£18 6s. Od.