SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK DEFECTS 239 
definite form. The disintegration of the mold hyphae (filament) 
proved to be a slow process, extending over 5 to 6 months. 
Prevention of But- 
tons.—The prevention 
or control of hese but- 
tons may be accom- 
phshed by: 1. exclu- 
sion of contamination, 
2. low temperature. 3. 
exclusion of oxygen. 
Exclusion of Con- 
tamination.—Contam- 
ination of the con- 
densed milk with but- 
ton-forming molds is 
most likely to occur 
during the cooling, 
holding and filling Fig. 82. 
Operon and an the Button in growing state, molds 
result of contaminated still very evident 
Courtesy of L. A. Rogers, U. S. 
cans and barrels. Daire Divieian 
In condenseries where the milk is cooled by the old method 
—in open 10-gallon cans, revolving in a cold water tank and 
stirred with wooden paddles—it is not difficult to understand 
the reason for buttons. In this system the condensed milk is 
exposed to the air for hours, the 10-gallon cans and the wooden 
paddles are never sterile and are an almost sure source of con- 
tamination, unless special precautions concerning the sanitary 
condition of equipment and of the air are observed. 
In condenseries which use the continuous plan of cooling 
and holding of the sweetened condensed milk, the product is 
protected against the atmosphere of the factory from the time 
it leaves the vacuum pan until it enters the tin cans, and if 
this equipment is kept clean and is steamed out thoroughly 
before use, which is readily and quickly done with this type 
of equipment, contamination should be very largely eliminated 
and buttons guarded against. 
