London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kensington 1963
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington Borough]
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Milk and Dairies (General) Regulations, 1959
(a) Registrations
The number of persons registered under these Regulations at
the end of the year, to sell milk from premises in the borough (including
the sale of cream in sealed containers) was 201.
(b) Unclean Milk Containers
It is an offence under the Regulations for any dairy farmer or
distributor to use for holding milk any vessel that is not in a state of
thorough cleanliness immediately before use. In the case of bottled
milk, the time "immediately before use" is considered to mean at the
time the bottle is first filled and, therefore, any offence would be
committed at the time and place of bottling.
During the year six instances of "dirty milk bottles" were
reported. In one case legal proceedings were instituted which resulted
in a fine of £10 being imposed; in three other cases warning letters
were sent to the bottlers, and in the remaining two cases it was decided
to take no further action.
Composition of Milk
During the year, 290 samples of milk (all grades) were submitted
to the Public Analyst for examination, all of genuine composition.
The following table shows the percentage of milk fat and non-fatty solids of the genuine samples of milk, other than Channel Islands and South Devon milks, taken during each month:-
| Month | No. of samples taken | Average Percentages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milk Fats | Non-fat Solids | ||
| January | 27 | 3.75 | 8.65 |
| February | 16 | 3.70 | 8.59 |
| March | 18 | 3.54 | 8.51 |
| April | 4 | 3.49 | 8.61 |
| May | 20 | 3.38 | 8.66 |
| June | 8 | 2.99 | 8.82 |
| July | 12 | 3.57 | 7.96 |
| August | 5 | 3.77 | 8.70 |
| September | 7 | 3.67 | 8.69 |
| October | 13 | 3.83 | 8.75 |
| November | 29 | 3.88 | 8.38 |
| December | 13 | 3.82 | 8.60 |
| Average for the whole year | 3.69 | 8.57 | |
| Legal minimum standard | 3.00 | 8.50 | |
Milk and Dairies (Channel Islands & South Devon Milk) Regulations 1956
These Regulations require that all milk for human consumption
sold under the specific description of-
Channel Islands Milk
Jersey Milk
Guernsey Milk or
South Devon Milk
must contain not less than 4% by weight of milk fat. This compares
with the presumptive milk fat standard of 3% specified for ordinary
milk by the Sale of Milk Regulations, 1939.