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The report on Dried milk is intended largely to bring our present regulations into line with
the proposals of F.A.O. and is, therefore, to be welcomed, even if one is not entirely in agreement,
because it will make for a general simplification of international trade. It is suggested
that dried milk should contain not less than 26 per cent of milk fat and not more than 5 per cent
of moisture, and that partly dried skimmed milk powder should contain not less than 1.5 per
cent of milk fat nor more than 5 per cent of moisture with the proviso that when sold in containers
of 10 lbs. or less, the fat content should be declared and the product labelled as at present
to the effect that it is not to be used for babies except on medical advice. Dried Machine-skimmed
Milk would have to be labelled as unfit for babies.
It is suggested in the report on the use of Mineral Oil in Food that generally no alteration
should be made to existing regulations, but that the sealing of eggs and of the rind of whole pressed
cheeses should be permitted and, what is more important, that any paraffin wax or paraffin oil
used for food purposes should be at least of B.P. quality. It would be useful if this last provision
could be extended to apply to packing materials in which fruit is packed, since apples are frequently
contaminated with paraffin due, possibly, to the use of paraffin on packing material round the
fruit, though it is impossible to stare definitely whether or not the apples have been polished with
paraffin.
Although the Hygiene Regulations already cover the sale of milk, milk drinks, and similar
beverages from automatic machines, it may not be out of place to mention that special legislation
may eventually be needed for their more effective control. Members of your analyst's staff have,
on more than one occasion, bought chocolate milk drinks from automatic machines and have
found them to be mouldy on opening. Unfortunately such purchases are generally made some
distance from one's home and it is, therefore, difficult to make complaints.
(Signed) THOMAS McLACHLAN