London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Kingston upon Thames 1971
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kingston-upon-Thames]
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67
FOOD AND FOOD PREMISES
Milk Supply.
The following table shows the number of premises from which milk is sold and the types of licences in force during 1971 under the provisions of the Milk (Special Designations) Regulations, 1963 and 1965. These Regulations prescribe that the licence shall cover the period expiring on the 31st December 1975 and all are dealers' licences to sell pre-packed milk.
| Premises and type of licence | Number |
|---|---|
| Premises in which milk is sold | 93 |
| Pasteurised milk | 80 |
| Sterilised milk | 36 |
| Ultra Heat Treated milk | 53 |
| Untreated milk | 11 |
Bacteriological Examination of Milk.
During the year 29 samples of milk were sent to the Public Health Laboratory at Epsom and the following is a tabulated statement of the results
| Phosphatase Test | Methylene Blue Test | Turbidity Test | Colony Count | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pass | Fail | Pass | Fail | Pass | Fail | Under 10 | |
| Pasteurised | 22 * | - | 23 | 1 | — | - | — |
| Ultra Heat Treated | - | - | - | - | - | - | 3 |
| Sterilised | - | - | - | - | 2 | - | - |
* Plus 2 samples which passed the modified test for milk from
dispensers.
The phosphatase test indicates that pasteurisation has been
properly carried out; the methylene blue test is used to determine
cleanliness and keeping quality and the turbidity test is a check
on sterilisation.