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A further 254 samples of "Pasteurised" or "Tuberculin Tested Pasteurised"
milk were submitted for the Phosphatase test to determine the adequacy of pasteurisation.
One of the samples failed to satisfy the test, but subsequent samples which
were obtained from the same supply were found to be satisfactory.
Twenty-three samples of "Sterilised" or "Tuberculin Tested Sterilised" milk
were submitted to the Park Hospital for the Turbidity test and satisfactory reports
were received in each case with one exception. Subsequent samples which were
obtained from the same supply as that which had failed the test were found to be
satisfactory.
The tests referred to above are those prescribed in the Milk (Special Designations)
Regulations, 1949.
Continuing the practice carried out for many years in this Borough 92 samples
of milk were obtained in the early hours of the morning during deliveries to schools,
hospitals and institutions in the Borough. Thirty-three of the samples were
submitted for the Phosphatase test, 33 for the Methylene Blue test and 26 for
chemical examination.
Routine visits to milk distributors were carried out during the year. Thirty-six
defects at 8 milk premises were found and remedied, 8 informal notices being
served upon the responsible persons to remedy defects.
Milk Standards.
Difficulty was again experienced by the Council with regard to the present
standard of milk, in that for some years there has been a seasonal fall in the solidsother-than-fat
content of milk, and a number of samples obtained by the Council's
Sampling Officers for analysis have failed to reach the minimum standard.
The existing regulations provide that where a sample contains less than 8 5 per
cent of milk solids other than milk fat it shall be presumed until the contrary is
proved that the milk is not genuine by reason of the abstraction of milk solids other
than milk fat or the addition thereto of water. In each case the Public Analyst
had reported that the deficiency in milk solids other than milk fat corresponded
to the presence of one per cent of added water. It was his view that the samples were
of genuine milk from the cow and that the deficiency in each case was due to the
normal seasonal poor quality of milk.
A number of firms had pointed out that during the Spring of each year milk is
often below the standard due to feeding and for other reasons beyond their control,
and that even after bulk supplies had been mixed, the standard was not always
brought up to the minimum standard required.
The Health Committee considered that the present standard could not be
regarded as high and ought to be reasonably attainable by farmers at all seasons
of the year, and that consequently farmers should be given more encouragement by
the Government to breed for quality production rather than for quantity, and that
legislation should be introduced which would make it an offence, after farmers had
had sufficient notice to enable them to improve their herds, for any milk to be sold
below the legal minimum standard whether it is genuine cows' milk or not.
The Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee were requested to
consider this matter and to urge that legislation should be introduced upon the
lines indicated.
Ice Cream.
There were 312 ice cream premises registered in the Borough at the end of
the year, of which six were used for manufacture and six for the storage of ice
cream.
The majority of the dealers sell pre-packed ice cream only.
Routine visits are made to all the premises, and during the year some 33 defects
were found and remedied. Seven informal notices were served. Three formal
notices were found necessary.
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