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9
During the year 37 samples were taken for bacteriological
examination and 17 for chemical analysis.
Synthetic Creams.
There has been a noticeable increase in the production of
confectionery in which synthetic, etc., creams are used;
this may be a result of the restrictions on the sale of sweets.
Particular attention has been paid to the sampling of
synthetic and butter creams, and during the year 106 samples
were taken for bacteriological examination. Samples of
cream were taken during manufacture and of the final products,
e.g. cream buns, gateaux, layer cakes, etc., exposed for sale
by retail, and also from bulk supplies.
In the case of one manufacturer it was reported that butter
cream was heavily contaminated with coliform bacilli of
faecal origin, and upon investigation the likely cause appeared
to be due to a number of factors.
It was found that the cream after manufacture was kept in
a warm atmosphere suitable for the growth of organisms,
there was a general lack of coverings to receptacles containing
the cream, sufficient care was not being taken by employees
in the washing of hands, and the method of cleansing receptacles
was unsatisfactory.
The precautionary measures required were pointed out to
the management, and steps were at once taken by them to
implement all the recommendations, one of which was that a
specially enclosed " cream room" should be built. The
manufacture of the cream was transferred to other staff and
structural alterations carried out to the premises, including
the construction of a separate room for the manufacture of
butter cream.
Results of these measures at once became obvious, and all
the varieties of cakes involved began to be reported free from
faecal contamination.
Initially the improvement was perhaps only about 10 per
cent, of all samples taken ; gradually, however, this percentage increased until finally all samples were reported to be
satisfactory. This happy state of affairs continues (April,
1951).
Milk.
Eighteen samples of milk were submitted to the Public
Analyst for chemical analysis and 103 samples of Special
Designated Milk (Tuberculin Tested, Tuberculin Tested
Pasteurised, Pasteurised, Sterilised), were submitted for the
methylene blue, phosphatase and turbidity tests, all of which
were reported to comply with the required standards.