1906.] 



Preservatives in Milk. 



299- 



and that this subject deserves attention from all authorities in 

 England and Wales charged with the execution of these Acts. 



In this connection the following suggestions are made for 

 adoption by the Council where a similar procedure is not 

 already followed :— 



1. Information from Public Analysts, — The Board suggest 

 that public analysts should be requested — 



{a) to record in their quarterly reports how many milk 

 samples have been examined during the quarter with a view to 

 ascertaining the presence of substances commonly in use as 

 preservatives, and with what result ; and to draw the attention 

 of the Council to instances where the use of preservatives in 

 milk other than boron preservatives and formalin have come 

 under notice ; 



{b) to report, on completion of analysis, the facts as to samples 

 of milk which have been found to contain any added preservative. 



2. Administrative Action zvhcre Preservatives in Milk are 

 Reported. — The Board would suggest that the Council should 

 notify to milk traders, by circular or otherwise, that action will 

 be taken under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts in instances 

 where preservatives are reported in milk. 



Subject to this being done, and to exceptional cases of the 

 kind referred to under the heading numbered 3 below, the 

 Board consider that when the presence of any added preserva- 

 tive is reported in a sample of milk taken in accordance with the 

 provisions of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, the case should 

 in ordinary circumstances be regarded as one for the institution 

 of proceedings under those Acts. 



3. Declaration and Notices. — The Board think it desirable to 

 draw attention to cases in which the vendor o^* the milk, with the 

 object of escaping liability under Section 6 of the Sale of Food 

 and Drugs Act, 1875, declares to the purchaser by means of a 

 notice, label, or otherwise that he does not sell " milk " as such,, 

 or that its quality in regard to preservatives or other constituents 

 is not guaranteed, or that it contains some added preservative. 



The Board would suggest the desirability of frequent sampling 

 in cases where " milk " is sold subject to declarations of the 

 kind, with a view to ascertaining the condition of such milk in 

 regard to preservatives. 



