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The 23 incorrect samples of new milk were taken from six consignments
sent by six different farmers to milk depots in the County. The
slight deficiency of fat in the milk of one sample was the result of unsatisfactory
bulking of the yield of a mixed herd; in the others, although
there was a deficiency either in fat or in solids-not-fat, the milk was the
natural product of the herds.
Of the 987 samples examined in the department, 108 were incorrect.
These were mostly natural foods which are examined to determine
whether there has been a substitution of a different food. The proportion
of unsatisfactory samples is very high, but this is because most of this
work is selective, many of the samples having been procured only because
of a suspicion that the position was not satisfactory.
In connection with the 248 unsatisfactory samples, 84 proceedings
were instituted; official cautions were sent in respect of 90 further
offences.
During the year, 347 samples of milk were taken and submitted for
examination by inoculation for the presence of tubercle bacillus. Four
samples were found to be infected. In each, examination of the herd was
made by the Veterinary Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture; as a
result, one cow was slaughtered.
1,185 samples of processed milk were tested to determine whether
the milk had been properly subjected to the relevant heat-treatment
process. Three failed to pass the phosphatase test for heat treatment,
three the methylene blue test for keeping quality and one failed both
tests. The percentage of failures of samples procured each year has fallen
from a figure of 8.9 in 1950 when the County Council became responsible
for the supervision of heat-treated milk, to 0.6 for last year.
280 visits were paid to the licensees' premises to see that all relevant
regulations are being complied with.
(E) HYGIENE OF FOOD
In general, there has been an improvement in the handling of food.
More are appreciating the significance of the measures stressed to make
food safe, and many who are dealing in foodstuffs realise the appeal to
the public of the special provisions they make to avoid the foodstuffs
being contaminated either by those serving the food, by customers or by
flies or other insects. Too often though, there are patent lapses from the
desirable standards, not all of these being on the part of those serving the
oodstuffs. It is regrettable that persons are selected for this important
work who do not seem to have been brought up to reasonable standards.
these are not ingrained, there is the much greater risk of lapses. This
aspect of the work of the Inspectors is one which has suffered as a result
of shortages of staff, and no specific effort directed primarily to this
subect was made this last year, though of course, the Public Health
Inspectors continued their routine inspections of premises.
The attention of the Public Health Committee at their meeting in
September was drawn to the dirty and unhygienic condition of a bakehouse
and flour loft. Previously, following a number of warnings, the Committee
had found it necessary to take proceedings under the Food and Drugs
Act. Similar action was taken on this occasion.