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Enquiries are also being made as to the cost and suitability
of bottle-washing machines, steam sterilising and drying apparatus.
Several firms who manufacture dairy appliances, etc., are placing on
the market washing and sterilising plant suitable for large and small
retailers. I am convinced that the installation of a suitable plant
would not only result in the saving of time and labour to the retailer,
but would ensure the consumer getting a more sterile milk; without
doubt, there will be a great advance in this direction in the future.
The small shop, where milk is sold along with all kinds of domestic
requisites, is still with us, but these are inspected frequently to ensure
that all possible precautions are taken to prevent contamination. It
seems to me that time alone will settle the fate of these small 'mixed'
shops. The public is learning more and more every month what it
wants in the way of milk. The retailer who will not or who cannot
modernise his methods will be left behind.
During the year the Council approached the Metropolitan Boroughs'
Standing Joint Committee with a view to requiring the registration of
shops in which sterilised milk is sold in bottles; nothing however
has come to pass in this connection. The Council also wrote to the
Ministry of Health asking that no persons should be allowed to enter
upon the milk trade unless they produced a medical certificate of
freedom from Tuberculosis. The Ministry replied that it would be
better to circularise milk purveyors to the effect that the Tuberculosis
Officer would, without charge, examine any applicants for entry into
the trade. So far no trader has taken advantage of this offer.
Milk and Cream Regulations 1912 and 1917.
1. Milk and Cream not sold as preserved cream : —
{a) Number of samples examined for preservatives—
Milk 227 Cream 5
(6) Number in which preservative was reported to be present and
percentage in each sample—
Milk Nil Cream Nil
2. Cream sold as preserved cream :—
Instances in which samples have been submitted for analysis to
ascertain if the statements on the label as to preservatives were
correct:—
1. Correct statements made 13
2. Statements incorrect —
Total 13
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