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41
The foregoing remarks summarise the varying circumstances met with, and
the general principles which have been adopted in the administration of that
portion of the Act which deals with registration. The discretionary powers given
to the Local Authority will enable a gradual improvement to be secured in milk
retailing, particularly in respect of new applications. Where there is continued
and gross neglect of essential principles in connection with either the quality,
storage or distribution by registered purveyors, it can be checked by termination of
registration. It will seldom be found necessary to exercise this power, but the
fact of its existence will have a salutary effect upon careless milk retailers.
EXPERIMENTAL SAMPLING OF MILKS.
On numerous occasions retailers of milk from whom a sample has been purchased
for analysis, and which has proved to be below the required standard, have
stated with emphasis that the milk whilst in their control has not been tampered
with. Enquiries showed that often the statement was probably correct and that in
some instances careless methods in connection with the act of retailing could be held
responsible. With a view to ascertaining to what extent this suggestion might be
operative,experimental sampling was undertaken in the following circumstances:—
Samples of milk were examined
(a) From counter pans from which milk was being retailed during several
hours;
(b) From a churn which had been used to distribute milk throughout the City,
the churn itself being carried on a four-wheeled " pram " ;
(c) From churns of milk which had been in course of rail transit for several
hours; and
(d) From a churn of milk removed from a cold stores.
Results in all these instances clearly indicate that, unless precautions are taken
to ensure that milk is satisfactorily mixed, variations in the composition of the
milk retailed must arise.
1—MILK RETAILED FROM COUNTER PANS.—Three counter pans were
taken similar to those in use in the small restaurants. Into each were placed four
gallons of milk. The milk was received in bulk at 9.50 a.m. A sample of this was
examined and found to contain approximately 3 per cent. of fat. At short intervals
half a pint of milk was taken from each pan, and before the removal of this quantity
the milk in No. 1 pan was well stirred, that in No. 2 pan was stirred in the usual
manner of the trader, and the milk in No. 3 pan was disturbed as little as possible.
At 12.20 a sample of milk for analysis was taken from each pan, which at that time
had been dipped into 24 times, and from each pan one and a half gallons had been
removed. At this time analysis showed that the percentage amount of fat in Nos.
1 and 2 pans had not decreased, but that the fat content of the milk in No. 3
had been reduced by 32 per cent. below the standard of 3 per cent.
At 3.40 p.m. a second series of samples for analysis was taken, and at this time
each pan had been dipped into 48 times and there was remaining a gallon of milk
in each pan. Analysis showed that the fat content in No. 1 was still as in the original
sample, but that the fat in No. 2 was reduced by 20 per cent. and the fat in No. 3
by 45 per cent. below the standard. The following tables show the results of these
analyses:—
No. 1 Pan.
Well stirred.
No. 2 Pan.
Stirred as by trader.
No. 3 Pan.
Disturbed as little as possible.
Time.
Fat.
Solids
not Fat.
Water.
% Fat abstracted.
Fat.
Solids
not Fat.
Water.
Fat abstracted.
Fat.
Solids
not Fat.
Water.
% Fat abstracted.
12.20 3.0 8.72 88.28 0 3.02 8.64 88.34 0 2.02 8.82 89. 16 32
3.40 2.96 8.92 88.12 0 2.40 8.88 88.72 20 1.64 8.66 89.70 45
The above results show (a) that with reasonable care milk can be served from
a counter pan so that the fat content will remain constant for several hours, (b)
that after two hours, and without any intention to deceive on the part of the
retailer, the ordinary stirring which the retailer gives milk taken from the pan may