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41
Inspection and Supervision.
During the year 157 visits were made to cowsheds and dairies and
where necessary, those responsible were asked to execute work of repair
or improvement. Action was taken early in the year to secure the
modernising of one of the pasteurising establishments and plans for
the erection of a new dairy in which the latest type of equipment will
be installed were approved.
Sampling.
Of the 52 samples of milk taken, 46 were satisfactory. Of the 6
samples in respect of which adverse reports were received, investigations
were made and follow-up samples showed the cause of the trouble had
been removed.
Complaints.
During the year 17 complaints were received about the dirty condition
of milk bottles or of foreign matter being present in the milk.
These complaints were investigated and action was taken with the
companies concerned.
The milk distributing companies are alive to the problem and
would seem to take all possible precautions to prevent such occurrences.
To an increasing extent, milk is distributed in narrow-necked bottles
sealed with overlapping caps. There is no doubt many of the complaints
are because householders and others fail to rinse the bottles after use.
To remove a possible source of contamination, in May, 1949, all
dairymen in the district were asked to issue instructions to employees
to refrain from placing crated milk bottles on the public highway. The
trade has co-operated in this matter and it hoped that eventually the
practice will cease.
(B) MEAT
There are seven slaughterhouses in the district, but at none was
regular slaughtering carried out. Only 15 pigs were slaughtered, being
pigs kept by private individuals or pig clubs. All the carcasses were
inspected and found fit for human consumption.
(C) OTHER FOODS
Inspection and Supervision.
During the year 2,620 visits were made to food shops and other
premises at which food was stored or prepared. Many of the visits were
in connection with unsound food and others were routine inspections.
As a result of these visits work of improvement was carried out at a
considerable number of premises.
The following is a summary of the food examined and found to be
unfit for human consumption, being destroyed locally or disposed of by
the Ministry of Food:—