London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Kensington 1960

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]

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69
After pasteurization or sterilisation the mixture has to
be reduced to a temperature of not more than 45°F. within 1½ hours
and kept at this temperature until frozen, after which it must be
kept at a temperature not exceeding 28°F. up to the time of being
sold.
There is still no legal bacteriological standard for ice
cream. As in previous years, samples were taken and submitted for
examination under the provisional methylene blue reduction test
which is a simple and practical means for the routine examination
of ice cream. The test is not of sufficient precision to justify
its use as a statutory test. The grading is determined by the
length of time taken to decolourize the methylene blue and it is
suggested that if samples consistently fail to reach grades 1 and
2 it would be reasonable to regard this as an indication of defects
in manufacture or handling which warrant further investigation.

During the year 23 samples of ice cream were also taken and submitted to the methylene blue test. The results are as follows:-

GradeNo. of samples
110
24
32
47

Premises in the borough where ice cream is manufactured,
stored or sold were frequently inspected during the year and generally were found to be in a satisfactory condition, having regard
to the Ice Cream (Heat Treatment etc.,) Regulations, 1959.
Condensed Milk
The Condensed Milk Regulations, 1959, made jointly by the
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Pood, and the Minister of
Health, came into operation on 26th June, 1959. They substantially
re-enact in a consolidated and revised form the Public Health
(Condensed Milk) Regulations, 1923/l953. Certain new provisions
have been introduced, the principal ones being:-
(a) to provide for the sale of condensed partly
skimmed (half cream) milk labelled "should
not be used for babies except under medical
advice"
(b) to define half cream milk as meaning milk which
contains not less than lO.8% of milk solids
including not less than l.8% milk fat
(c) to prescribe minimum percentages of milk fat
and milk solids including fat for condensed
partly skimmed (half cream) milk.
During the year 11 samples of condensed milk were submitted for analysis and found to comply with the requirements.
One sample, however, was found upon examination to be sour and
curdled. The retailers were notified and immediately withdrew
the remaining stock of this particular brand from sale. No
further action was taken.