PASTEURIZATION OF MILK AND WHEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10131, 3 December 1910, Page 3

PASTEURIZATION OF MILK AND WHEY.

A GOVERNMENT CIRCULAR. The following circular has been addressed to managers of dairy factories by the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture and of Industries and Commerce: — Adverting to the numerous representations made to the dairy industry by myself and the officers of the Department to the effect that in the interests of all concerned it is highly desirable that all skim milk and whey should be pasteurized before being taken away from factories and creameries by milk suppliers. I now have tne honour to inform you that in my opinion the danger of the spread of tuberculosis by means of these by-products, amongst cattle and pigs, to say nothing of human beings, is becoming .so pronounced that it devolves upon the industry to at once take definite action in the matter. In these circumstances it is important to ascertain the intentions of the proprietors of every factory and creamery throughout the Dominion, except of course.those, numbering nearly sixty,, where pasteurization of the oy-jproduct is already in operation. Lshall therefore be much obligedif you will let meknow at an - early date whether preparations are being made for the introduction of the system not later than the beginning of next season at your factory and creameries, if any. I may add that, while the Government is reluctant to resort to any measure of coercion in this matter, it is felt that the seriousness of the position is such that, unless the industry is prepared to _ effectively grapple with the situation, the Government will be obliged to exercise the powers conferred upon it by the Dairy Industry Act in the direction of making the sterilization of skim milk and whey compulsory.