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The regulations are designed to secure that no preservative
shall be added to milk or to cream containing less than 35 per cent.
by weight of milk fat at any stage from the place of production
to the consumer. In the case of cream containing over 35 per
cent. by weight of milk fat the addition of boric acid, borax, or a
mixture of these preservative substances, or of hydrogen peroxide
is not prohibited by the Regulations, but is subject to a system of
declaration which is required to be followed by all persons dealing
with such cream for the purpose of sale for human consumption.
By this system (Part II. of the Regulations) it is intended that
preserved cream as an article of commerce shall in all stages be
differentiated from cream to which no preservative has been added.
Further, Article IV. (a) prohibits the addition of any thickening
substance to cream or preserved crcam.
Except as regards Part III. the duty of administering the
Regulations has been placed upon local authorities empowered to
administer the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts.
Existing arrangements for the collection and examination of
milk samples under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts can be extended
so as to enable the Council to receive such reports from
the public analyst as are requisite. Arrangements will be required
for the periodical examination of samples of cream in
accordance with the requirements of the Order.
Provision is made in the Regulations before the local authority
institute proceedings, affording any person contravening the regulations
an opportunity of furnishing an explanation, which shall
be considered by the Authority with all the circumstances of the
case. Proceedings, it is pointed out, are those authorised by the
Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907, and the enactments
referred to in the notice at the foot of the Order.
The letter of the Board further states that "it will be desirable
that the Medical Officer of Health should be instructed to exercise
general supervision over the action taken in pursuance of these
Regulations.... as to details of procedure necessary to secure
the observance of the Regulations over which the Council has
supervision."
The Regulations were under consideration by the Borough
Council at the beginning of the year 1913.
Milk and Dairies Bill.
The Milk and Dairies Bill was introduced by the President
of the Local Government Board, and it is to be hoped that it