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44
in insulated chests or containers to prevent the effect of the warm
atmosphere in the summer. During the year a dairy company
inaugurated a new practice in Ealing as well as in other parts of
London and the suburbs of getting all kinds of dealers particularly
grocers to sell milk in sealed cartons. Many of the dealers were
under the impression that they were under no obligation to register
as retail purveyors of milk, but on being informed of their duty
they promptly applied for registration. Many were also under
the impression that milk vended in this way kept for unusually
long periods and were quite ignorant of the fact that exposure to
the warm temperature of a shop in summer brought about rapid
deterioration. They even exposed the filled bottles in the window
to the blazing heat of the midsummer sun. The finding of bottles
of milk in an advanced state of souring prompted action and registration
as retail purveyors of milk in sealed receptacles was refused
by the Town Council unless proper means of storage in insulated
containers was provided for. In this way not only was the sale
of milk in a marketable condition assured, but the sale of milk
by all kinds of vendors was restricted.
Articles 21 and 32 of the Milk and Dairies Order have proved
a very valuable means of improving the methods of milk distribution
in Ealing. By dairymen with the best ideals in the trade the steps
have been welcomed, and by those who have since been reformed
they are now appreciated.
Recently action to enforce Article 21 of the Order with respect
to a retail purveyor of milk who has premises in a neighbouring
district and who sought to be registered as a retail purveyor in
Ealing have been successful in encouraging the Local Authority
of that area to take similar action in the sterilisation of receptacles
as has been done in Ealing. There is still lack of uniformity in
the matter amongst local authorities, and the time seems opportune
for concerted action all round. The best representatives of the
trade are certainly in favour of such action.
During the year much attention has been paid to the question
of the milk supply, especially as the time seemed overdue for legislative
steps to improve its quality from a bacteriological aspect.
A survey of the milk supply was undertaken with very interesting
results which are here recorded.