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Following the failures of the samples of untreated milk to pass the Methylene Blue Test the
Divisional Milk Officer carried out investigations at the farm concerned and officers of this Department
concentrated on the supervising of the staff concerned with the washing of the bottles, a
process carried out by hand. Staffing problems, no doubt, played some part in the difficulties experienced
at the farm but the conditions improved considerably and no unsatisfactory samples were
reported during the last quarter of the year.
Tn addition to the above samples, 7 samples of raw milk were submitted to the Central Public
Health Laboratory for examination for the presence of tubercle bacilli. This number is less than in
1966 as visits to farms were cut to the minimum during the latter part of the year when the foot and
mouth disease outbreak was at its height. No sample was found to be infected.
It has been recommended by the Ministry of Health that all milk which is not heat treated should
be examined at regular intervals for the possibility of its being infected with brucella organisms.
Seventy six samples were, therefore, taken of all untreated milk produced in the Borough. These
samples have included milk from private institutions where a large number of persons would be at
risk; none was found to be infected.
One hundred and eighty bottles were taken from the four bottling establishments in the Borough
and submitted for examination in respect of bacteriological cleanliness. Only one set of six bottles
was considered unsatisfactory; these came from a bottling plant where the bottles are hand washed.
Advice on the need to exercise continually the strictest hygiene practices was given to the staff of
the plant concerned.
I am grateful to Dr. C.E.D. Taylor, Director, Diagnostic Reference Laboratory, of the Colindale
Laboratory and his staff both at Colindale and Coppetts Wood Hospital for the efficient service
provided.
Complaints concerning foodstuffs
One hundred and eighty two complaints were received concerning foodstuffs.
Every complaint was investigated and in 32 cases proceedings were recommended against the
vendor or manufacturer as appropriate and in 27 other cases warning letters were issued. Where the
complaints were only of a minor nature, the matters were dealt with informally by the giving of
appropriate advice and information.