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226 dealers' licences and 73 supplementary licences were issued under the provisions
of the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations, 1949, which authorised the use
of the special designations " Pasteurised," " Tuberculin Tested " and " Sterilised."
Samples of milk were submitted to the Public Analyst for chemical analysis
during the year. The percentage content of fat was:—
During 1955, 169 samples of "Pasteurised" or "Tuberculin Tested Pasteurised"
milk were subjected to the Methylene Blue test at the Park Hospital
Laboratory, Hither Green, to assess the keeping quality of the milk. All the samples
were reported to be satisfactory.
A further 172 samples of "Pasteurised" or "Tuberculin Tested Pasteurised"
milk were submitted for the Phosphatase test to determine the adequacy of pasteurisation.
All of the samples were reported to be satisfactory.
Eighteen 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.
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, 97 samples
of milk were obtained in the early hours of the morning during deliveries to schools,
hospitals and institutions in the Borough. 37 of the samples were submitted for
the Phosphatase test, 37 for the Methylene Blue test and 23 for chemical examination.
Routine visits to milk distributors were carried out during the year. Defects
at twelve milk premises were found, notices being served upon the responsible
persons to remedy these defects.
Non-Registered Food Premises.
The Sanitary Inspectors continued throughout the year to pay periodic visits
to all non-registered food premises. The majority of shopkeepers were willing to
co-operate in order to maintain a good standard of hygiene. A total of 378 inspections
were made and as a result, 177 defects were found which required the service of 20
informal and two formal notices.
Review of Milk Regulations.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and the Ministry of Health
are at the present time reviewing the existing Regulations relating to milk premises
and distributors of milk, these Regulations having been in operation for the past
five years. The Ministries are considering representations which may be made
from all interests concerned, in order to frame amendments with the object of making
consolidating Regulations.
The Council were asked during the year for their observations on the working
of the present Milk Regulations, and submitted the following suggestions for consideration
by the Ministries:—
(a) In view of the number of Dairies which are now producing orange drinks,
consideration might be given to an amendment to existing Regulations
to permit the bottling of this type of drink within a dairy, with a provision,
if necessary, that the section of the plant so utilised is used solely for that
purpose ;
(b) A large number of small general shops in this Borough are licensed to sell
Pasteurised and Sterilised milk. The sale is always of the bottles exactly
as received from the producers, and is a small part of the main sales of the
general shops. Such licences have to be renewed annually, but the Council
suggested that consideration might be given to prescribing a longer period
of licensing than at present, say for three years, in respect of such sales.
Number of Samples.
4.5 per cent. and over
4 per cent. and under 4.5 per cent.
3.5 per cent. and under 4 per cent.
3 per cent. and under 3.5 per cent.
Below 3 per cent.
Nil
11
98
78
1
30