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The fact that a bacteriological report on a sample records it is unsatisfactory
does not necessarily mean that it is injurious to health, but the presence of any
abnormal number of bacteria, however harmless, is an indication that the washing
processes are not producing in the bottle that degree of cleanliness approaching
sterility which is desirable.
It is understood that pilot schemes are now being conducted in Middlesex,
Surrey and the London County Council area with the use of tetrapac cartons in
schools, Por older children, who can be relied upon to open the cartons without
difficulty or spilling, this method of using a non-returnable container is, from a
public health viewpoint, greatly to be preferred.
On one occasion during the year it was necessary to send a warning letter to
the firm concerned regarding a bottle of milk delivered to a customer in Tottenham,
the bottle having in the interior some brown stairing which had not been removed
in the washing processes.
During the year, three new registrations were made of distributors of milk
from retail premises and two were removed from the register, the sale of milk
having been discontinued. The total number of registered premises at the end of
the year was accordingly 51, ten being depots from which milk is distributed by
roundsmen and 41 being retail shops.
The premises were inspected and eight works were required which included repairs,
redecoration, provision of "Now Wash Your Hands" notices in waterclosets,
improved ventilation and adequate protection of foodstuffs exposed for sale.
Two samples of milk were taken from a vending machine which had previously
not been operating satisfactorily but the results of the samples were good.
Routine sampling of milk is now carried out by Middlesex County Council.
ICE CREAM
At the end of the year there were 245 premises registered for the sale or
manufacture of ice cream. 23 new registrations were made during the year, eight
registrations were transferred to new occupiers, and ten registrations were revoked,
the sale of ice cream having been discontinued.
Ice cream is also sold at several hotels, restaurants and cinemas. These
premises are not subject to registration
271 samples of ice cream were taken and submitted to the central Public
Health Laboratory Service for bacteriological examination and grading according
to the Ministry of Health's Provisional Grading Scheme, with the following
results:-
87