The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-24
DRIVE ID ENFORCE FOOD ORDINANCES
 WILL BE STARTED
Ordinances Will Be Ignored In Some Instances, It Is Stated - Restaurants
 and Soda Founts to Be Investigated

Several large market and vege- table stands located on Second and Fourth avenues, north, have inti- mated that they will ignore the food ordinances of the city providing for sanitary handling of foods and fruits. Issue is not taken with the sanitary feature, the shops merely assuming the attitude that they will not observe the ordinance.
 On the other hand, five inspectors of the health department are ready to go forth and mske> arrests for vio- lations of the food laws. George Bailes, assistant city attorney, has been assigned to the work of pros- ecuting cases. Mir. Bailes stated last night that he was primed to take care of the situation from the legal departments side.
 Hostilities will be opened by the health department by request that all foods and fruits be placed behind screened doors. away from flies, dust and vermin, with chances for con- tamination of commodities minimized. As much protection as is consistent with every day /practice will be de- manded, according to Dr. J. D. Dowls ing, health officer. The drive will probably start tomorrow.
 Meat Refrigeration
 Refrigeration of meats will be asked, except during the actual course of sale. It is no uncommon sight, Dr. Bowling stated, to go through the streets on which mar kets are located and see half ton of meat cut and sliced, lying out ex- posed to dirt and insects in summer heat.
 The practice of hanging meat out for advertising purposes was roundly scored by the health officer, who stated that this meat. although 1t might appear to be good at the tims of sale, would sour before morning. Lack of refrigeration causes tainting of this meat, he said. More danger lies in decomposed and soured meats than in bad fruits and vegetables.
 Condition Uisound
 Many fruit stands and markets Of Birmingham are in bad shape at the present time" declared Dr. Bowling. Articles for sale lie spread out ex- posed to whatever contamination happens along. Persons who choose may finger foods and fruits without regard for other potential purchas- ers. This condition is unsound."
 Enforcement of the police regula- ton and health restrictions barring chicken coops from sidewalks will be enforced by the health officers Dr. Bowling stated. This practice will be stopped if possible, he stated Arrests will be made promptly for this offense.
 Determination to have food pro- tected from dust. flies and vermin was expressed by Dr. Bowling. Wig erous prosecution of all cases is promised.
 Restaurant Employees
 Inspection of restaurant emploXes will be next taken up by Dr. Dowl- ing, he said yesterday. Establish ment of 8 food handlers clinic will probably be a fact within a period of month or two. Employees would then have the option of bringing a certificate from a physician approved by the health department or exam ination at the clinic of the health department. Af the present time a certificate from any physician in good repute is sufficient to insure clean bill of health.
 Soda Fountains
 Dispensers at soda fountains will have the option of using individual paper cups and containers or steriliz- ing each utensil in efficient manner Dr. Bowling was hiEh in his praise of one large company. maintaining two stores here.' saying their ster. ilization system was practically 10( per cent Other stores are lax ir some instances and strict in others as to fountain cleanliness.
 Concentration on~ the food ordi- nance enforcement will be the watch word of the crew of five inspectors detailed to this work until the situa- tion is greatly improved, Dr. Dowl- irp stated