MILK QUALITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 13

MILK QUALITY

FIRMS PROSECUTED

ONE TO PAY £lO IN FINES SAMPLES BELOW STANDARD Four charges of selling milk short of tho standard prescribed by the regulations under the Sale of Food and Drugs Act were admitted in the Police Court yesterday by Ambury's, Limited, before Mr. V. K. Hunt, s'.M. .Mr. G. S. R. .Meredith prosecuted lor the Health Department. and Mr. Lovegrove appeared for the defendant company. Mr. Meredith said that on January '2B samples of milk were taken in Balmoral Road and Manukau Road. These stood up to the reductase test for one hour and one and three-quarter hours respectively, although the minimum reqtiired by the regulations was four hours. Other samples taken on .March 14 in Mount Albert and K'emu.era Roads were better, standing up to the test for three tiiid n-quarter hours and three hours respectively. Dally Test Necessary Most of the milk received by the company was pasteurised, Mr. Meredith continued, but 2u5 gallons was sold daily as raw milk. After it was received, this milk was left for some time before being delivered, and the department considered there was ample opportunity for the company to apply the reductase test daily. Ho understood the company was prepared to make these tests. The Magistrate: It must be done. Ambury's. Limited, received 6500 gallons of raw milk daily, said Mr. Lovegrove. The firm had been operating since ISS2, and «;is the only proprietary company in the Dominion with its own laboratory and qualified chemists. Thousands of samples tested by the Health Department had been found of high quality, and it, was considered that a modified test., taken once a week, was sufficient. Worst Month in 40 Years The company had done everything to ensure the quality of its milk, counsel continued. January had been tho worst month in -10 years for humidity, and in addition abnormal conditions had resulted in 53 changes of personnel in the factory since the war began. The department was now asking that the tests be made each day. He considered the regulations required some form ot amendment. Fines of Co were imposed on each of two charges, the company being convicted and discharged on the others.

A sample of milk taken from a shop belonging to Stones Brothers. Limited, on April 1 resulted in a similar charge being brought against that company, i ho charge was admitted. The miik stood up to the reductase test for two and a-lialf hours said Mr. Meredith. It was conceivable that the fault lay with a dirty container in the shop, as other samples taken in that locality were satisfactory. Mr. Lovegrove said high-quality milk had been supplied by the defendant company for nmnv vears.

The company wag convicted and ordered to pav costs, which totalled £:>, 12s fid.