View report page

It will be seen that the average fat content of the samples
taken in the Borough exceeded the Ministry of Agriculture standard
by no less than 0.46 per cent., notwithstanding the fact that 13 of
the samples taken were adulterated.
Under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, a
purveyor of milk from whom a sample has been taken for analysis
may, within 60 hours after the sample of milk was procured, if he
proposes to establish a warranty defence, request the local authority
to take a sample from a corresponding milking in the course of
transit or delivery to his premises. During 1934 requests for the
taking of samples in course of transit or delivery were received in
eight instances. In seven of these the original samples were reported
to be of genuine composition and in the eighth case the percentage
of adulteration was very small. It was not necessary, therefore, to
secure samples from the wholesalers in response to these eight
applications.
Sophistication of Milk by the Addition of Separated Milk.—
I reported to the Public Health Committee that, in the opinion of
the Food Inspectors, certain dairymen in the Borough were purchasing
separated or skimmed milk for the purpose of" breakingdown
"fresh milk rich in fat to a weaker condition, which would
still comply with the official standard as regards fat and solids not
fat deemed to be present in average genuine milk. It was also
possible, where this "breaking-down" process had been carried too
far, to plead a warranty, and where the dairyman was in possession
of a warranty it was a matter of the utmost difficulty, if not impossibility,
to obtain a conviction, even though it was known that the