Catalogue description Ministry of Food and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food: Registered Files: National Dried Milk (NDM Series)

The National Dried Milk Scheme followed the decontrol of dried milk on 1 April 1954. The Milk Products Division was responsible for arranging manufacture and packing. The packed powder was transferred to the Rationing and Welfare Foods Division for distribution, through food offices and clinics, to consumers. Local authorities took over distribution in 1954 as food offices closed down.

An interim scheme was followed by a permanent one, agreed with manufacturers and packers of milk powder which covered production, packing and distribution of National Dried Milk, including coding, examination and analysis of the powder and contracts with manufacturers. Contracts were let on a tender basis from 1 April 1955.

The scheme continued after the amalgamation of the Ministry of Food with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in April 1955, and from 1 October that year, the new ministry acted as procurement agent for National Dried Milk for the three health departments when the Ministry of Health took over responsibility for Welfare Foods Service in England and Wales.