M 34
Nine out of the 145 samples of fresh milk were found to be below the standard, the remaining articles on the list being satisfactory.
Foodstuffs seized and destroyed included:-condiments, 1,350 lbs., confectionery, 16,125 lbs., eggs, 100 lbs., fish, 20 lbs., flour, 22,280 lbs., fruit, 15,957 lbs., meat, 919 lbs., milk, 89 lbs., molasses, 500 lbs., and vegetables, 106,791 lbs.
Foodstuffs voluntarily surrendered and destroyed comprised:-cheese, 18 lbs., cocoa, 43 lbs., coffee, 300 lbs., condiments, 252 lbs., confectionery, 491 lbs., fish, 4,285 lbs., fruit, 1,445 lbs., jam, 6 lbs., meat, 3,350 lbs., sausages, 108 lbs., syrup, 19 lbs., and vegetables, 266 lbs.
There are two important dairy concerns in the colony, one European-owned on the Island somewhat unfortunately sited as regards the Queen Mary Hospital, and the second under Chinese management on the mainland. There are, in addition, about thirty small dairies owned by Chinese mostly on the mainland.
The daily production of fresh milk in 1937 amounted to about 1,700 gallons of which by far the larger proportion was produced at the European-owned dairy referred to above.
This concern has incurred considerable expenditure in recent years on pasteurization and bottling plants and when completely reorganised on modern lines should be in a position to produce milk free from tubercle bacilli, Br. abortus, the streptococcus causing mastitis, and other organisms giving rise to milk-borne infections.
Draft legislation was introduced during 1937 to make pasteurization of milk compulsory but met with considerable opposition. There is every possibility of the proposal becoming law in 1938 together with regulations covering bottling, sterilization of containers, etc. As might be surmised milking in the majority of the small Chinese-owned cattle byres leaves a great deal to be desired and it is to be hoped that small owners of cattle will find it better to sell their products to one or other of the important and well-equipped concerns.
While on the subject of milk production mention should be made of a comparatively new enterprise, namely, the preparation of reconstituted milk and cream usually from New Zealand butter and skimmed milk powder. Legislation is pending to enforce pasteurization, clean bottling of these products and a standardization of their quality as regards milk fat and total solids other than fat. Dairies and milk shops are licensed and are subjected to periodical inspection.
The more important Government slaughter house is situated at Kennedy Town (Hong Kong Island) others are to be found at Ma Tau Kok on the mainland; and at Aberdeen and Sai Wan Ho on the Island.