FOOD EXPOSED TO DUST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20076, 12 October 1920, Page 7

FOOD EXPOSED TO DUST.

FISHMONGER PROSECUTED. That no food for human consumption _ should be placed on tbo footpath outside a shop, mas the ruling of Mr t + i S.AI., in the Magistrate s Court this morning, in a caso in which Thomas Mason, a- Christ, church fishmonger, was convicted and llnad Is and costs for keeping sacks of oysters on the pavement. Mr 0. S. Thomas appeared for the defendant, and Mr A. T. Donnelly conducted the prosecution. Richard James Al'Konxie, an officer under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act, stated that on calling at defendant’s shop ho saw the sacks of oysters out. Ride on the pavement, where they remained for some hours. Witness had warned Mason m May last that contamination might result from such a practice. Mr Thomas submitted that there was no case to answer. The Act mentioned “. , . food for sale. . .” and the oysters were not displayed outside tho shop for sale, hut only until they could be removed inside.* Tho oysters were kept free from contamination as far as practicable. The sacks were under a verandah, away from dampness, and were sewn up just as dispatched from Invercargill. The Magistrate; The sacks would not keep the oysters free from dust. Mr Thomas: I hopo it was a wet day. then, sir. The defendant said that it had not been a wet day. It was a busy day, being a Friday, and he was serving m the shop when tho oysters arrived’ tho delivery being very late. He was unable to remove the sacks for some time, but ho had a proper storage place provided in tho shop as specified under the Act. Mr AT’Carthy said ho did not think tho oysters were protected from the dust. It was merely a caso for marking that human food, cither oysters or anything else, should not ho placed on ‘he footpath. A conviction would be entered, and a fine of Is imposed, the costs of the prosecution to bo paid.