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The Public Health (Condensed Milk) Regulations, 1923, and Public Health (Dried Milk)
Regulations, 1923.—Twelve samples of condensed milk and six of dried milk were taken during the
year and each was found to comply with the Regulations in every respect.
Composition of Milk supplied in Kensington.—It is well known that the "limits" of 3 per cent.
of fat and 8.5 per cent. of non-fatty solids, which are taken by the Ministry of Agriculture as the
primary criteria of genuineness of milk, are figures very much below those found in normal cow's
milk.
The following may be taken as the average composition of cow's milk:—
Water 87.4 per cent.
Fat3.7 „ „
Non-fatty solids 8.9 „ „
Of 286 formal samples of milk taken under the Food and Drugs Act in 1926, 16 were
certified by the Public Analyst as adulterated, i.e., containing less than 3 per cent. of fat or 8.5
per cent. of non-fatty solids. These particulars, however, do not give any indication of the general
quality of the milk supplied in Kensington, therefore, it will be interesting to note the average
composition of the samples taken in the Borough during the year. These figures are given in
the following table:—

It is interesting to note that the average fat content of Kensington samples exceeded the
Ministry of Agriculture standard by over 20 per cent.or, in other words, the samples would have
been returned as genuine by the Public Analyst even though about 20 per cent.of the fat might
have been removed by a fraudulent vendor.
The table shows that the average fat and non-fatty solid content for each month of the year
is well above the legal standard and makes it clear that suspicion should fall on every sample
which at any time of the year shows a fat content as low as 3 per cent.
Addition of Colouring Matter to Milk.— section 4 of the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act,
1922, prohibits the addition of any colouring matter, or water, or re-constituted, or skimmed or
separated milk, to milk intended for sale. This section enables the Council to deal with cases in
which additions are made for fraudulent purposes, but in which difficulty is experienced in proving
that the mixture is sold as milk. In two samples taken during the year the presence of artificial
colouring matter was detected, and upon proceedings being taken the Magistrates imposed a fine
of £5 and 10s. 6d. costs in each case.
Milk Utensils in Infected Houses.— he practice commenced in 1922 of sending information to
milk retailers supplying milk to houses in which cases of infectious disease are being nursed at
home was continued throughout the year, and from the date of the receipt of my notification to the
date of a later communication stating that the house is free from infection, no milk vessel belonging
to the dealer has been allowed to enter the home in question.
The procedure seems to meet with general favour and the dealers invariably express then
thanks for the information received.
Cowsheds.— There are no cowsheds in Kensington.