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122
Inspection and Sampling
Reference was made in the Annual Reports for 1966 and 1967 to the
presence of brucella abortus in two herds within the Borough. The milk
from the herds in question is all subjected to heat treatment and will
continue to be so treated until the infection has been cleared.
From time to time, samples are submitted for examination and the
Animal Health Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
is aware of the position. It is hoped that the herds concerned will, before
long, be brought into the scheme that the Ministry has for the eradication
of this condition.
Complaints
During the year thirty-three complaints were received about milk
or about the presence of foreign matter in milk bottles. All were investigated
and action taken with the companies concerned with a view to
preventing a repetition. The number of complaints represents no improvement
on the 1967 figure, which is disappointing, but it is hoped that
improved plant now being installed at one centre bottling milk for Harrow
and designed to detect foreign matter in bottles will bring about a marked
drop in the 1969 figures. The piece of equipment concerned has, in fact,
proved very effective elsewhere.
ICE CREAM
The number of premises registered for the sale or manufacture of
ice cream at the end of the year was 420. At two of the establishments
concerned ice cream was manufactured by the heat treatment process,
while at two others a cold mix was used.
During the year there was a marked increase in the number of
vehicles operating in the district and dispensing soft ice cream. This
product, which is obtained in a part-prepared state from registered
manufacturers, is converted into the finished product within equipment
carried on the vehicle. It appears to be a very popular product and, while
the number of vehicles operating in the district varies from time to time,
the majority are well-maintained and operate on well-established rounds.
During the year 100 samples of ice cream were taken and, of these, 73
were reported as satisfactory, being either Grade 1 or Grade 2.
The twenty-seven that were reported as either Grade 3 or Grade 4
(i.e. unsatisfactory) were all the subject of further investigation.
A Grade 4 product does not mean that the sample is unfit for human
consumption, but is an indication that somewhere either the required
standard of cleanliness is not being maintained or there is something
wrong with either the plant or the materials. In all of these cases follow-up
samples were taken.