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It appears probable, however, that this sterilised milk is sometimes
served to a purchaser who expects fresh milk.
Legally this is an offence under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, as
the milk is not of the nature and substance demanded, and not in its
natural condition.
Although much might be said in favour of a supply of sterilised
milk, the business requires careful watching and investigation in case it
should be used to hide an unhealthy or unclean supply.
Fresh milk bacteriologically clean is a more wholesome product than
milk of doubtful purity which has been sterilised.
In the latter six months of the year 176 samples of milk were found
to give definite reactions one way or the other; 62 samples, or 35.2 per
cent. had been heated, and 114 samples were fresh unheated milk.
There were also many doubtful cases, which may have been mixed milks,
but these are not included in these numbers.
Grade "A" Milk.
Six samples of Grade "A" milk were examined bacteriologically.
They were all from the same vendor.
Grade "A" milk should not contain more than 200,000 organisms
per 1 cc. The samples examined were all well within this limit, in fact
the numbers found were approximately only about one-tenth of this
number, showing that the standard is a very liberal one and apparently
easily obtained.
None of these samples showed evidence of having been heated to
obtain the desired results.
Prescribed Medicines.
Ten Prescribed Medicines were examined for the National Health
Insurance Committee.
Three of the samples were found to have been dispensed in an
unsatisfactory manner.
Rag Flock Act.
Two samples of Rag Flock were examined. They were found to be
not up to the required standard of cleanliness, and legal proceedings were
taken in one case. (See p. 93.)
ALBERT E. PARKES, F.I.C., F.C.S.,
Public Analyst.
24ih February, 1925.