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OIL DAMAGED CHILLED MEAT s.s. "URUGUAY"
The following report upon the arrival of a consignment of oil damaged and tainted chilled
beef is mentioned because of the uniqueness of the incident and the detail involved in ensuring
safe disposal of any meat released for reconditioning.
On 26th January, a report was received that a vessel, which was bound for London from
South America, had reported that a quantity of fuel oil had found its way from the double-bottom
tanks into the lower hold space of No.2 hold. From this it could be assumed that the chilled
beef in the hold would be either directly contaminated by contact or indirectly by taint. Some
833 tons of chilled beef was involved. The uniqueness of the situation was in that this was
chilled and not frozen meat. Chilled meat is carried at a higher temperature than frozen. Therefore
changes of temperature and delays in handling can affect the meat to a greater extent and
ozonisation cannot be employed to remove taint.
It was decided to sort the meat, on arrival, into three categories —
(a) meat found on inspection to be free from taint to be released as normal.
(b) meat tainted but otherwise sound to be detained pending further consideration.
(c) meat damaged and tainted to be released direct to the Corporation's Contractor for destruction.
Meanwhile the Underwriters were attempting to find suitable premises where a large quantity
of chilled tainted meat could be held pending reconditioning or where such work could be carried
out at a rate sufficient to meet the anticipated discharge once the ship commenced working
It was considered that the taint would be primarily absorbed by the fat of the meat, and if
this were trimmed off with the surface lean meat it would remove all evidence of taint and effect
a reasonable saving in sound meat.
Premises were found in Wellingborough, Northants, and, following negotiations with the
local authorities concerned, it was agreed that the Senior Meat Inspector on the Royal Docks, be
allowed to visit the factory suggested to discuss with the local authority officers concerned and
the factory staff the suitability of the premises and the work to be done. Satisfactory arrangements
were made, and a meeting of interested parties was called to discuss the procedure to be
followed when the vessel arrived. Representatives of the following bodies attended: H.M. Customs
and Excise; Port of London Authority; Meat Importers; Shipping Agents; South American Purchasing
Agency; Underwriters; Stevedoring Company; and the Corporation's Contractor for disposal of
Unsound Meat. Sroad agreement was reached on action to be taken, subject to conditions arising
at the time.
The vessel arrived on 5th February and commenced discharge on the 7th under supervision of
Corporation Officers. The first tainted meat was found on 9th February in the Orlop deck and this
meat was consigned to Wellingborough.
When access was available to the Lower Hold a preliminary inspection was made of the
trunkway. The deck was covered with two or three inches of oil fuel; some meat was hanging in
this and some free from contact. Following discussions with the stevedoring company, arrangements
were made to ensure that directly contaminated and uncontaminated meat were handled
separately and that the uncontaminated meat did not become contaminated during handling. Fron
this point on only two types of meat were recognised (a) contaminated, which went to the Contractor,
and (b) uncontaminated, which went to Wellingborough.
Subsequently some 367 tons of meat went to Wellingborough and 71½ tons to the Corporation's
Contractor.
The meat reconditioned at Wellingborough and found to be sound was released unconditionally
and the unsound meat disposed of for purposes other than human consumption. In all some
42.8% of the total weight sent to Wellingborough was saved.
Trade representatives stated that this was only the second such instance involving chilled
meat that they could recall in the past 40 years.
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