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The Health of Barking
FOOD HYGIENE.
The preparation, storage and distribution of food is continuing to attract
more attention, and the public is demanding a higher standard of hygiene.
The rapid expansion of what can be described as the meals service, embracing
factory canteens, schools canteens, municipal and private restaurants, has led
to new problems.
In general your officers have acted upon a standard of sanitary considerations in
the kitchens as follows :—
(a) Adequate lighting for the job;
(b) Impervious floor for cleansing;
(c) Impervious and durable wall surfaces;
(d) Adequate ventilation;
(e) Fitments placed so as to prevent vermin infestation;
(f) Amples sinks for washing purposes;
(g) Ample food storage accommodation, suitably housed;
(h) Adequate closet accommodation, and at least one wash-basin with hot
and cold water supply.
It is a pleasure to report an easing of the difficulty experienced in previous
years of securing provision of satisfactory domestic utensils and towels. There is
also a more enlightened view among food trade operatives and management, which
we must continue to foster and encourage.
In no field of a sanitary inspector's work is it made clearer that the job is
primarily educative rather than penal, and it is in this way that sanitary inspectors
are doing their most effective work.
Unsound Food. On page 66, a table is given showing the total quantity of
food condemned.
FOOD AND DRUGS ACT, 1938—SAMPLING.
Details of the 296 samples submitted for examination are to be found on
page 67. Of this total 15 were unsatisfactory. In respect of Sample No. 2070,
Custard Powder, there was a prosecution resulting in a fine of £5 plus £2 2s. costs.
One of the unsatisfactory samples was the result of a complaint that a number
of residents who had consumed fish and chips at a local shop had suffered trom
diarrhoea. The edible oil which had been used for frying was found to consist of
pure castor oil.
Lemonade Powder.—The attention of the Ministry of Food was called to
the preparation and sale of what were described as lemonade or sherbet powders,
which, upon chemical examination, were found to bear more resemblance to
effervescing health salts, and were being sold to children. Some of these confections
were put up as sweetmeats described as lemonade powder suckers. The Borough
Analyst, commenting on his examination, states:—
" In conclusion it must be pointed out that none of the samples
examined was found to have the composition of Sherbet as it is generally
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