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49
Milk and Dairies Order, 1926.
Proceedings were instituted against two purveyors for bottling milk on the public highway
in contravention of the provisions of this Order. A fine of 15s. Od. was imposed by the Magistrate
in each case.
Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928.
Of the 604 samples taken during the year, 24 (3.9 per cent.) were found to be " not of the
nature, or not of the substance, or not of the quality demanded by the purchaser."
This compares with 3.8 per cent, in 1930 and 3 per cent, in 1929.
Twenty-eight of the samples were taken on Sundays and Bank Holidays. None of these
was adulterated.
Forty-six samples of milk were taken at Paddington Station on delivery by rail. Eleven
were found to be adulterated.
Twelve samples of milk were obtained at Paddington Station at the request of other
Boroughs.
Sampling of milk supplies to Public Institutions.—There are eleven institutions from which
samples of milk are taken periodically. Twenty-five samples were taken during 1931, all
of which were returned as genuine.
Sampling of milk from Automatic Machines.—Automatic machines for supplying milk
are in use at eight premises in the Borough. From these, during 1931, six samples were taken
for chemical analysis and two for bacteriological examination. One sample was found to be
deficient in fat to the extent of 32 per cent. Proceedings were instituted against the vendor.
The samples examined bacteriologically were reported to be of a good type of loose milk,
comparing favourably, as far as the count was concerned, with Graded milks.
Public Health (Preservatives, &c., in Food) Regulations, 1925 to 1927.
With few exceptions all samples taken under the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act
were examined for the presence of preservatives. One sample of sausages, sold without
proper declaration of the presence of preservative, was found to contain 5.5 parts per million
of sulphur dioxide, and one sample of jam 52 parts per million of sulphur dioxide. Two samples
of fish paste contained respectively 0.037 per cent, and 0.03 per cent, of boric acid. No formal
action against the vendors was deemed necessary.
Public Health (Condensed Milk) Regulations, 1923 and 1927.
During the year three samples of full cream unsweetened, four samples of full cream
sweetened, and eight samples of skimmed sweetened condensed milk were taken. All were
found to comply with the Regulations.
Public Health (Dried Milk) Regulations, 1923 and 1927.
Four samples of dried milk were taken during 1931, all of which complied with the Regulations.
Chemical and Bacteriological examination of Food.
Analyses for the purposes of the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, and the
various Food Regulations were made by the Public Analyst, Sir William R. Smith, at the
Royal Institute of Public Health, 37, Russell Square, W.C.I, where also bacteriological
examinations of food are made when required.
Bacteriological examinations of samples of milk procured under the provisions of the
Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, are also made at the Royal Institute of Public
Health.