A satirical poem titled 'A New Milky Way,' published in a Victorian periodical, lampooned the practice of adding water and other substances to milk. The poem used humorous verse to educate the public about the prevalence of milk adulteration, which was a major public health concern at the time.

This poem is an example of how light verse was used to address serious social issues in the Victorian era, making them accessible to a broad audience. The tradition of using humor to critique food fraud persisted into the 20th century, influencing writers like Ogden Nash. The poem also reflects the public's growing awareness of the need for food safety regulation.