Detergent sterilisers are ‘appalling’ in quality

‘APPALLING’ quality of dairy detergent sterilisers used in Ireland has been revealed by Teagasc.

Results given after 12 products were tested showed only five had the ideal ratio between caustic and chlorine components, of about five to one. Announcing the results to members of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland, who visited the Moorepark research centre last week, the head of the Animal Production and Grassland Research Centre, Dr Pat Dillon, said some products were also wrongly labelled, and he warned of the danger of chlorine contamination of dairy products.

Milk processors have warned that excess chlorine from detergents used when cleaning the milking system, or bulk tank, can result in a trichloromethane residue in milk.