View report page

129
Unsound Food.—The market places have been regularly
inspected and on 4 occasions unsound food has been discovered
by an Inspector exposed for sale and destroyed. They comprised
various kinds of fish, vegetables, and meat.
In no instance was legal proceedings instituted as the
cases were not flagrant, but merely accidental. The owners
were cautioned.
One important factor in conrection with the food supply
of the Borough is that the shops are situated in the main
thoroughfares, which are well lighted and it is to the tradesmen's
own interest to stock and expose for sale only sound
food. In nearly every instance where attention has been called
to some doubtful article, the tradesman has without hesitation
had the doubtful article destroyed.
The practice of giving certificates of condemnation for
unsound food which has been surrendered by the owners
(having been purchased or consigned in an unsound condition)
prevents a large quantity of food being exposed and sold to the
public. During the year, nine consignments comprising
Haddock, Mat kerel, Cod, Skate, Winkles, Kippers and Rabbits,
have been submitted and destroyed.
Although it is admitted that the practice has many advantages,
it has been alleged that unscrupulous retailers have
substituted stale and unsound stock for the fresh consignment,
surrendering the former for condemnation, obtaining a
certificate, and then using same for the purpose of obtaining
compensation from the wholesale merchant.
This is perhaps done in a few cases, but I believe the
percentage is very small, and in any event it is a form of fraud
which should be dealt with rather by the wholesale merchant
than by the Sanitary Authority, as has been done in another
trade. Every care is taken so far as it is possible by us to