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In order to ascertain whether the specially designated milk being sold in the Borough complies
with the standards prescribed by the Order of 1923, sixteen samples of " Certified Milk " and one
sample of "Tuberculin Tested Milk" have been submitted to the Clinical Research Association for
bacteriological examination. In all except three cases, the milk was found to have a degree of>
purity higher than that laid down in the Regulations. In the three cases, the examination
revealed the presence of bacteria in the following numbers:—
Certified Milk Sample No 9 1,940,000 bacteria per 1 c.c.
„ „ „ 10 680,000 „ „
„ „ „ 11 230,000 „ „
The maximum number of bacteria per c.c. allowed in "Certified Milk" by the Regulations is
30,000. In addition, l/10th c.c. of milk must, on bacteriological examination, be found to be free
from coliform organisms, but in each of these three samples, these organisms were found in this
quantity of milk.
On receiving these results, the premises in Kensington from which the samples were obtained
were very thoroughly inspected, and in each case it was quite clear that the impure condition of
the milk was in no way due to defective arrangements either in storage or distribution on the part
of the retailers, but was probably due to faulty technique on the part of the producers who are licensed
directly by the Ministry of Health.
The facts were reported to the Public Health Committee who directed that they should be
communicated to the Ministry of Health.
The Public Health (Condensed Milk) Regulations, 1923.—These Regulations, which prescribe
the labelling and composition of Condensed Milk, came into operation on November 1st.
The provisions as to labelling and composition are set out in the schedule to the Regulations,
and provision is made for the enforcement of Part II. of the Regulations, which relates to the sale
of condensed milk in this country, by the Local Authorities appointing analysts under the Sale of
Food and Drugs Acts, on lines following as nearly as may be the procedure under these Acts.
Every tin or other receptacle containing condensed milk must bear a label upon which is
printed a declaration in prescribed form.

Six samples of condensed milk were taken towards the end of the year and each was found to
comply in all respects with the new Regulations.
Addition of Colouring Matter, etc., to Milk.— Section 4 of the Milk and Dairies (Amendment)
Act, 1922, prohibits the addition of any colouring matter or water, or reconstituted milk, 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.
Not one of the three hundred and forty-two samples of milk analysed in 1923 was found to
contain colouring matter.
Milk Utensils in Infected Houses.—The 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 their
thanks for the information received.
Cowsheds —For some years past the only milk produced within the Borough came from a
small cowshed in Walmer Road where about 10 cows were kept. The cowkeeper discontinued his
business at these premises in 1920, and now there is no milk being produced in Kensington.
Ice Cream.—At the end of the year 158 premises were shown in the Register of places within
the Borough where ice cream is prepared or sold, twenty-seven having been removed during the year.
The trade is mainly regulated under the London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1902,
which makes it an offence to store ice cream in a sleeping room or in any shed or room in which
there is an inlet to a drain. Vendors of ice cream are also required to notify the occurrence of
infectious disease among their employees or persons living on their premises. The Act further
provides that every itinerant vendor shall exhibit on his barrow the name and address of the person
from whom the ice cream has been obtained. Two hundred and ninety visits to ice cream
premises have been made by the inspectors during the year.