MILK SUPPLY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9791, 15 October 1917, Page 5

MILK SUPPLY

DOMINION ANALYST’S REPORT. Samples of milk for analysis received at the Dominion Laboratory last year covered tho most important towns in the Wellington, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Nelson districts. In all 1108 samples wore taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act. Tho annual report of tho Dominion Analyst states that in regard to Wellington city tho appointment of' a milk inspector by the City Council resulted in 847 samples being taken, as against 333 for last year. Of the 847, 28 were adulterated with water, one to the extent of 21.8 per cent., the average addition being 9 per cent.; 56 proved deficient in fat, tho worst sample representing 23 per cent, of skimming, the average 8.8 per cent.; three contained preservative, contrary to regulation ; 44 were decidedly stale; 62 contained excessive amounts of dirt. In all, 198 samples, or over 23 per cent., failed to comply with the regulations. The activity of the inspectors did much to chock watering and skimming towards tho end of the year. The proportion of stale and dirty milks, however, showed no diminution. Some causes of such unsound condition of milk are lack of cleanliness on the farms, insufficient cooling, carelessness in handling, and undue delay in distribution.

Samples received from other places throughout New Zealand totalled 261. Of this number 26 were found to be seriously adulterated and 15 slightly below standard.