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Dr. Cox, the Public Analyst, commented on the chemical composition
of the ice cream samples he analysed. The fat content varied from the
quite good figure of 11 per cent. in one case down to " traces of fat " in
several samples. These latter cannot properly be called cream, but in
the absence of a legal standard for this increasingly popular commodity,
further action was not taken.
Bacteriological Examination of Foodstuffs,
During the year, 62 samples of food were examined bacteriologically,
as follows :—
Milk (Cert.) 2
Milk (Past.) 28
Milk (Ungraded) 2
Ice Cream 20
Custard Powder 1
Dried Milk 1
Egg Powder 1
Liver Sausage Sandwich 2
Dutch Mussels 1
Chocolate Dragees 1
Bottled Beans 1
Herring Paste 2
Also examined were :—
9 Samples of Swimming Bath Water.
1 Milk Bottle
1 Jar In connection
1 Wiping Cloth with food
2 Faeces poisoning enquiries.
1 Washing Powder
All heat-treated milks were submitted to the prescribed tests laid down
by the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations which came into operation
on the 1st March, 1946. These tests are the Phosphatase test for adequate
heat treatment, and the Methylene Blue test which is designed to ensure
that consumers will receive their milk sufficiently fresh to remain drinkable,
if kept reasonably cool, until the next day's supply is received. The
milk samples passed these tests satisfactorily. No pathogenic organisms
were found.
The plate-count test, as prescribed for milks in the Milk (Special
Designations) Order, 1936, is now found to be defective, not only because
a wide margin of error appears inevitable in arriving at the result of the
count, but more particularly because the test takes account of heatresistant
organisms whose presence is of no material significance for the
safety or the keeping quality of the milk.
Appropriate action has also been taken with regard to various complaints
concerning dirty milk bottles.
The Ice Creams were also submitted to the Methylene Blue Test.
Nine samples were Grade 1, one Grade 2, two Grade 3 and eight Grade 4
(the worst). The attention of the Vendors and also of the Medical Officers
of Health of the districts from which they came, was drawn to the unsatis¬factory
samples.
An itinerant vendor of ice cream was summonsed for not having his
his name and address inscribed on his vehicle in accordance with Section 16
of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938. A fine of 10s. was imposed by the
Bench.
The samples of water taken from the Central Swimming Baths were
of uniform excellence from a bacteriological point of view.
2566 P.H. 200 8/48 (7258) Printed by Harrison and sons, ltd., st. martin's lane, London