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During the lengthy period of the investigation, many discussions
were held with the farmer in order to ensure that the public received
milk conforming to the legal standards. Afternoon and morning milk
is now bulked. The result of a formal sample of milk taken when bulking
was instituted was as follows:—Milk Fat, 3.4% ; Solids-not-Fat, 8.7%
—a perfectly genuine sample. Subsequent analyses also proved satisfactory.
The Public Analyst informed me that similar trouble had occurred
all over the County, so that ours was by no means an isolated case.
A sample of loose mustard proved to be inferior in that there was
a deficiency of allyl isothiocyanate. The mustard had deteriorated during
storage and, following representation to the Vendors, the stock was
withdrawn from sale.
A sample sold as lard proved to be vegetable cooking fat. At the
present time there is no difference in price and the substitution is not a
fraud, but even though the two are lumped together in the " fat ration"
lard is, of course, the fat of the pig, and the distinction should clearly be
maintained. A letter was sent warning the Vendors of their responsibilities
in the matter.
Numerous samples were taken from the two dairymen in the
Borough who pasteurise their bulk milk supplies. These samples were
submitted to heat treatment and keeping quality tests, and a series of
failures, indicating insufficient heat treatment, made it necessary to conduct
a special investigation. Milk Heat Treatment Plants, in common
with other mechanised installations, are subject to breakdown ; and
repair, necessitating the use of spare parts in short supply, is often
delayed. In such cases, however, immediate arrangements are made for
pasteurisation to take place elsewhere. In the series of failures mentioned
above, no mechanical failure was apparent, and, together with the dairymen,
we were much perturbed by the results. The matter was less
understandable because the Dairymen had submitted to analysis samples
taken at the same time, and the results were satisfactory. After consultation
with our own Analyst it was agreed that a series of samples
should be taken by this Authority, by a neighbouring Authority, by the
Ministry of Agriculture and by the Dairymen concerned. All these
samples proved satisfactory, and no indication was obtained as to the
reason for the previous conflicting results. Many factors may cause a
sample to fail the very delicate "heat treatment" test, and it would be
quite wrong to assume that in every case of failure an "unsafe" milk
is being vended to the public. Nevertheless we must regard failures
as of major importance, calling for immediate action, and in this matter
I am happy to record that the Dairymen concerned give every cooperation.
There are three producers of specially designated milks in the
Borough, one producing Accredited Milk and two Tuberculin Tested.
These special designations relate to milk produced from herds receiving
frequent veterinary inspection, and are herds which are, as far as is
reasonably possible, known to be free from Tuberculosis. The milk is
sold raw (that is, it is not subjected to heat treatment) and may be regarded
as a " safe " milk. Frequent inspection is made to check the conditions
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