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ICE CREAM AND ICED LOLLIES.
One hundred and seventeen samples were taken by the Sanitary Inspectors for
bacteriological examination during the year, with the following results:-
Grade Number of Samples
1 47
2 31
3 23
4 12
Samples are subjected to the Methylene Blue Reductase Test and graded 1, 2, 3 and 4 according
to the time taken for the colour of the test solution to disappear. This gives an approximate
indication of the number of bacteria present, and samples are divided broadly into the
categories Good, Average, Bad and Very Bad. Where samples consistently fail to reach Grades 1
and 2, it is reasonable to regard this as indicating defects of manufacture or of handling,
which necessitates further investigation.
Four samples were unable to be tested owing to adverse atmospheric conditions.
In the case of a sample falling into Grades 3 or 4, which is deemed unsatisfactory,
the premises were visited and the cause of the trouble investigated, after which further
samples were taken to ensure that conditions were satisfactory.
During the year many samples of iced lollies taken in various towns were reported to
be contaminated with lead, copper, zinc or tin; In some samples amounts as much as 11 parts
per million of lead were discovered.
On investigation it was found that one of the causes of contamination was due to faulty
moulds being repaired with ordinary plumber's solder instead of refined tin solder.
Fortunately, the manufacturers of lollie moulds were quick to recognise the danger and
produced moulds made of aluminium, stainless steel, plastic or rubber which reduces
considerably the risk of contamination.
During the summer months the Sanitary Inspectors purchased 73 samples of iced lollies
and endeavoured to cover every make and type sold. The samples were submitted for both
bacteriological and chemical analysis. The bacteriologist reported that every sample except
two was satisfactory. The fat content of the 23 milk lollies submitted to the Public
Analyst was found in many instances to be superior to that of milk, which is 3 per cent.
These 73 samples of iced lollies were included among the 117 samples of all products mentioned
at the beginning of this section.
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