What is the proper action to take if milk inspection indicates potential quality degradation?

Notifying the milk and dairy foods control branch is the appropriate action when potential quality degradation is detected during milk inspection. This step is crucial because the control branch is equipped to handle such situations and can provide guidance on the necessary measures to ensure public safety and product quality. They can conduct further investigations and assess the implications of the findings.

By alerting the authorities, the integrity of the dairy supply chain is maintained, as they may have protocols in place for dealing with contaminated or degraded products, which can include further testing, investigation, and potential regulatory action.

Other options are generally not advisable in situations of quality degradation. Immediate disposal without proper assessment could lead to wastage or environmental concerns. Allowing the milk to sit for further testing is not efficient, as it could exacerbate the issue and pose health risks. Refrigerating the milk for later examination might also lead to further degradation and does not address the immediate need for intervention. Therefore, notifying the relevant control branch is the best course of action to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.