DAIRY PRODUCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 13

DAIRY PRODUCE.

CAUSE OF DETERIORATION. PALMERSTON N„ February 28. At its last meeting the executive of the Dairy Farmers’ Union decided to write to the Massey College authorities asking for an opinion on the suggestion whether caustic soda, used for cleaning dairy utensils. would be responsible for the deterioration in butter and cheese recently experienced in New Zealand. Professor Riddett has replied to the union that in his opinion caustic soda is not responsible for the deterioration. While the careless use of caustic soda on farms might well give rise to troubles with pipes, cans, and other dairy utensils. the amount generally used was not sufficient to cause grave trouble with the products. This observation did not mean that *the farmers should disregard the effect of leaving traces of caustic soda in the pipes. After the caustic soda, water had been passed through the milking machine pipes, any traces should 1>« rinsed out with absolutely boiling water. It was not possible to dispense with th< need of an alkali in cleaning dairy plants hence it should be used regularly, but always with proper care.