The Milk (Special Designation) Regulations 1988

A. Conditions applicable when the milk is heated in bottles or by a continuous-flow method

1.  In this Part of this Schedule, “bottle” means any container which has a capacity of not more than five litres and is of a type approved by the licensing authority.

2.  The milk shall be sterilised, that is to say, filtered or clarified, homogenised and thereafter heated to and maintained at such a temperature, not less than 100°C., for such a period as to ensure that it will comply with the turbidity test prescribed in Part VI of Schedule 5. The milk shall be heated as aforesaid–

(a) in bottles and in such a manner that on or before completion of the treatment the bottles shall be sealed with an airtight seal; or

(b) by a continuous-flow method.

3.  Such thermometers and pressure gauges as the licensing authority shall reasonably consider necessary shall be installed in suitable places in the apparatus so as to indicate the temperature or pressure to which the milk is raised or subjected, as the case may be.

4.—(1) A sample of the milk taken in accordance with Part I of Schedule 5 at the heat treatment establishment after sterilisation shall after incubation for 15 days at 30°C satisfy the plate count test prescribed in Part IV of that Schedule. The sample shall be deemed to satisfy the test if the plate count is not more than 10 per 0.1 ml.

(2) A sample of the milk taken in accordance with Part I of Schedule 5 after sterilisation and before delivery to the consumer shall satisfy the turbidity test prescribed in Part VI of that Schedule. The sample shall be deemed to satisfy the test if it gives a filtrate showing no sign of turbidity.

5.  Every bottle in which the milk is transported, exposed or offered for sale shall be marked or labelled with the particulars specified in Schedule 6 unless the milk is intended for export to any place outside the United Kingdom.

6.  On a sale to the ultimate consumer (as defined in Schedule 6) the presentation of the milk shall not be such that a purchaser is likely to be misled to a material degree as to the nature, substance or quality of the milk.