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50
Sampling
48 samples were taken during the year. 46 were satisfactory. In
two adverse reports were received. On investigation these were found to
be associated with a plant breakdown. Follow-up samples proved
satisfactory.
Complaints
Nine complaints about foreign matter in milk and eight about the
dirty condition of milk bottles were received and investigated. Four
of the complaints related to the presence of glass and five were about
paper or cardboard. In all cases the paper and cardboard had instructions
to the milk roundsman written on it. The public could assist in
reducing the number of such cases by placing instructions around the
bottle holding the paper in place by the aid of an elastic band or by using
adhesive paper on to the outside of the bottle. Paper and cardboard
when forced through the narrow neck of a bottle is most difficult to
remove.
Special Designated Milk
During the year two dealer/pasteurisers of milk were licensed by
the County Council. The premises of each were inspected regularly.
In all, 104 samples were procured and submitted to examination to
ensure that they complied with the standard for pasteurised milk. Each
sample passed both the phosphatase and the methylene blue test.
(B) MEAT
Only two slaughter houses were used during 1953, and these very
infrequently. The number of animals slaughtered in the district during
the year was 90. Of these 87 were pigs, two were calves and the other a
goat. Very little disease was found, only one set of lungs and three
heads having to be condemned.
Five slaughtermen renewed their licences to slaughter.
Since the early days of the year no regular slaughtering has taken
place in the district, and to-day local slaughtering is but a fraction of
what was done before the war. The figures above may be compared
with those of the killings in 1938, which were 205 beasts, 1,561 pigs,
1,601 sheep, 314 calves, a total of 3,681 animals. More slaughtering is
likely to take place in the near future.
Meat Unfit For Human Consumption. Since August 1st, 1953,
all meat and offal in slaughterhouses occupied by the Ministry of Food
which are unfit for human consumption have been sold by public auction.
The conditions subject to which such meat and offal are sold were revised,
and are referred to in circular MF.21/53 of the Ministry of Food. Condemned
meat and other materials are offered for sale subject to such
control as local authorities may impose. The buyer shall not sell or
dispose of any condemned meat unless it has been processed, boiled or
steam sterilised except to a retailer for sale by him for animal feeding,
to a processor or to owners of zoos, etc., for use by them in such businesses
and not for re-sale. When meat is being sold to such persons, the seller