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The report on Dried milk is intended largely to bring our present regulations into line with the
proposals of F. A.O. and is, therefore, to be welcomed, even if one is not entirely in agreement, because
it will make for a general simplification of international trade. It is suggested that dried milk
should contain not less than 26 per cent. of milk fat and not more than 5 per cent. of moisture, and
that partly dried skimmed milk powder should contain not less than 1.5 per cent. of milk fat nor
more than 5 per cent. of moisture with the proviso that when sold in containers of 10 lbs. or less, the
fat content should be declared and the product labelled as at present to the effect that it is not to be
used for babies except on medical advice. Dried machine-skimmed milk would have to be labelled
as unfit for babies.
It is suggested in the report on the use of Mineral oil in Food that generally no alteration should be
made to existing regulations, but that the sealing of eggs and of the rind of whole pressed cheeses
should be permitted and, what is more important, that any paraffin wax or paraffin oil used for food
purposes should be at least of B.P. quality. It would be useful if this last provision could be
extended to apply to packing materials in which fruit is packed, since apples are frequently contaminated
with paraffin due, possibly, to the use of paraffin on packing material round the fruit,
though it is impossible to state definitely whether or not the apples have been polished with paraffin.
Although the Hygiene Regulations already cover the sale of milk, milk drinks, and similar
beverages from automatic machines, it may not be out of place to mention that special legislation
may eventually be needed for their more effective control. Members of your analyst's staff have, on
more than one occasion, bought chocolate milk drinks from automatic machines and have found them
to be mouldy on opening.
Thomas McLachlan,
Public Analyst."
Food—Adulterated or Unsatisfactory Samples.
Twenty-seven of the sixty-three unsatisfactory samples referred to in the Analyst's report concerned
technical faults in labelling or description. After consultation with the manufacturers or importers
the labels were revised or corrected. Of the other samples adversely reported upon, two necessitated
legal proceedings, details of which are given in Table 20, page 36. The remainder were dealt with
informally.
Unsound Food.
Approximately 8 tons of food were voluntarily surrendered for destruction and certified as being
unsound and unfit for human consumption. Details are given in Table 17, page 35. No large consignments
calling for special action were involved and when destruction of the unsound food on the
premises was impracticable, or the material was unfit for animal feeding, it was sent in bulk to a central
refuse disposal depot at Westminster.
Merchandise Marks.
During the year, one shopkeeper was found to be selling Dutch tomatoes as "English"; he was
warned of the offence. A letter was sent to all greengrocers and fruiterers in the Borough indicating the
requirements of the Orders applying in particular to imported apples and tomatoes.
Milk.
There are 72 registered premises from which milk is sold and 17 milk roundsmen operate in the
Borough from shops or depots elsewhere.
A total of 86 licences are extant under The Milk (Special Designation) Regulations, 1960, for the
five year period ending 31st December, 1965.
The average percentage composition of the 20 genuine samples of milk analysed was: total solids
12.25, fat 3.50, solids not fat 8.75, the legal minima being, 11.50, 3.00, and 8.50 respectively.
The Council's Bacteriologist examined 25 samples of milk and all were found to comply with the
requisite standards.
Ice Cream.
Three premises are registered for the manufacture of ice-cream and 217 for its sale and storage.
Details of the classes of premises are given in Table 18, page 36.
Six samples of ice-cream were examined by the Council's Bacteriologist, with the following results :
Grade I—4 ; Grade II—2. Chemical analysis of these samples proved to be satisfactory.