PASTEURISATION OF MILK

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23946, 13 May 1943, Page 3

PASTEURISATION OF MILK

DEPUTATION TO SCHOOL COMMITTEES ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS “We feel that any responsible body should not stampede into the adoption of the pasteurisation process for a city milk supply, without a full knowledge of the facts," said Mr P. L. C. Inder, at a meeting of the Canterbury School Committees’ Association last evening, when a deputation from the Fresh Milk Association waited on the meeting. ‘‘Pasteurisation has become an expedient for extending the commercial life of milk.” “Problems of long transport, which may necessitate pasteurisation, do not exist here," continued Mr Inder. “The incidence of tuberculosis in Canterbury is extremely low—in fact it is stated that the position here is the best south of the line. Canterbury also has an artesian water supply, which is a big help to a city milk supply.” Mr Inder said the testing of herds for tuberculosis was proceeding apace, but the sooner it was made compulsory the better. Mr H. Bliss said that pasteurisation was being “foisted” on the people, and that more evidence was required before its adoption. The prevalence of tuberculosis in Canterbury was low and could be cleaned up. Mr G. H. Mcllraith: When a big quantity of milk from mixed herds is dealt with, can you do without pasteurisation? Mr Bliss; It is not possible to'handle milk in bulk without pasteurisation. Mr F. H. Dephoff: Has pasteurisation been brought in by the lack of cleanliness of dairymen themselves in the past decade or so? , Mr Inder: I don’t think that is the position. There have been delinquents in the dairying industry, but many dairymen have had no trouble with their herds over 40 years’ testing. Mr Bliss; The delinquents may supply milk to dairy companies for pasteurisation. Reports on -representations made to the Milk Commission on- the association’s behalf were pres£nteoF Tjj? the president (Mr F. S. Norrie). mid the secretary (Mr A. Greenwood). 1 ‘ Mr A. T.* Bell said that there appeared to be no defect in the plant used for pasteurisation; any defects arose in the collection of the milk and its distribution to schools. The latter was done by sub-contractors. “The pasteurisation plant being as good as it is. how does it happen that an odd bottle of sour milk gets into a crate l ?" asked Mr Bell.