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32
6—INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD.
(i) Milk Supply.
On examination of the register which is kept at this office of all
producers of milk, and retail purveyors of milk in the District, we
find that at the end of 1938 there were 24 persons registered as
producers, and 68 as retail purveyors. Of these 68 retail purveyors,
10 were also registered as producers in this area.
The various farms and dairies have again been closely inspected,
and, where necessary, improvements have been advised and carried
out to ensure that the requirements of the Milk and Dairies Orders,
1926 and 1938 are being complied with.
Periodically, samples of milk have been taken, and subjected
to bacteriological analysis. During 19.38, 64 samples were analysed,
22 of these being for Designated Milks. Of the 42
samples of Ordinary Milk, 18 only proved satisfactory, giving
a percentage of 43, which compares with 92 for last year.
The explanation of this lower percentage lies partly in the fact
that we have adopted a more rigid standard, so as to conform with
modern practice elsewhere, and partly because the fault would appear
to lie with some producers outside the district.
Of the 22 samples of Designated Milks analysed, 18 proved
satisfactory, giving a percentage of 82, which compares with 94,
last year. The 4 unsatisfactory samples were in respect of
Accredited Milks, the Pasteurised Milks being satisfactory.
When unsatisfactory samples are obtained the Sanitary Inspector
goes into the details of production, and distribution, and
points out any defects that may exist. Further samples are then
taken till they prove satisfactory. When the place of production
is outside the District a copy of an unsatisfactory report is sent to
the appropriate Medical Officer of Health, who follows up the
matter in his own area.
Routine Veterinary Inspections are now carried out by the
Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries by virture of the Agriculture
Act, 1937, which transferred the functions of veterinary inspectors
of local authorities to veterinary inspectors appointed by the
Ministry.
(ii) Milk (Special Designations) Orders, 1936 and 1938.
Under these Orders the main designations are 1, Tuberculin
Tested Milk; 2, Accredited Milk; and 3, Pasteurised Milk.