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84
THE FAT CONTENT IN MILK.
Last year I reported the results of a statistical
investigation made by Mr. J. H. Lloyd as to the fat
percentage in samples of Bethnal Green milk in
1925 and 1935 respectively, the facts revealing an
extraordinary fall in the fat content in that period.
Mr. Lloyd has continued this study in respect of the
1936 samples and as the figures seem to point to
a continuous process in the lowering of the fat standard
of the milk sold in the borough I think public
attention should be directed to the facts. For
purposes of comparison, the new figures are shown
below with those relating to 1925 and 1935 :
1925 1935 1936
March quarter 3.43 3.40 3.30
June „ 3.45 3.26 3.21
Sept. „ 3.46 3.38 3.30
Dec. „ 3.79 3.40 3.44
Year 3.56 3.36 3.31
Subsequently to the publication of last year's Annual
Report, I sought information from the Medical Officers of
Health of neighbouring boroughs as to whether they had
observed any fall in the fat content of milk during the same
period. Full comparative data was only available for
Stepney, where the average fat percentage in 1925 was
3.64* and in 1935 3.59. This reduction is very slight but it
is a surprising thing that the fat percentage for milk sold in
two adjoining boroughs in the same year should be 3.36 in
one and 3.59 in the other. For 1935, the average fat percentage
in Hackney was 3.42, Shoreditch 3.4 and in Poplar
3.4-3.6 for large firms and 3.46-3.47 for small local retailers.
An interesting report on " The Composition of Milk " by the
County Analyst for Lancashire makes it evident that these
low fat percentages are exceptional. In other London
boroughs and in provincial towns, fat percentages about 3.6
and 3.7 are common, as one might expect from the generally
recognised average which this analyst gives as 3.75. Kensington,
for example, for which very full information is
available, shows a fairly consistent standard from 3.63 in
1925 and 3.64 in 1935.
♦Based on all samples taken, genuine or adulterated.