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24
EXCEPTIONAL INCIDENTS
The Typhoid Epidemic in Aberdeen during the months of May and June had gained
such proportions that the introduction of certain precautionary measures
became justified over a wide area of the country.
All possible sources of spread had to be investigated and steps taken to
eliminate the chances of suspected commodities being used for human consumption.
To this end all such places as transport cafes were visited by Health Department
staff and enquiries made regarding the places from whence the long
distant lorry drivers had come all schools hospitals institutions, wholesale
warehouses and other food premises were also visited to ascertain the
type and brand of specific commodities that were being used This extensive
survey entailing long hours of duty was put into operation before any Ministry
directive had been dispatched so that when certain information was received
some 3 days later in confidential documents from the Ministry of Health, it
only remained to revisit those places that were known to have in stock the
specifically mentioned brands 40 cans of corned beef were temporarily
confiscated and not released until assurance had been received that the
comnodity was safe to be used
A large quantity of bacon approximately 2¾ tons being transported by
lorry to its various destinations became involved in a road accident in which
the lorry was overturned depositing the bacon into the roadway where it became
contaminated with fragments of broken glass
The total consignment was returned to the wholesale warehouse for
examination, where 163 lbs of bacon was found to be totally unfit for human
consumption and condemned by the Health Department The remainder was allowed
to be delivered to premises where it would be subjected to special treatment
(under supervision of the Health Department staff of that area) which would
render it suitable for prescribed uses
CLEAN FOOD CAMPAIGN
Public opinion was re awakened during the year to the fact that unless
cleanliness be practised in the preparation and handling of food at all times,
anxiety, worry and illness creating chaos in our every day life could result.
Hoping for a worthwhile response whilst this topic was uppermost in mind,
it was considered opportune to engage in an intensive food hygiene campaign
aimed at improving standards of food handling in general and to educate the
personnel in the correct conception of hygiene
The theme adopted for this campaign pointed to the destruction of harmful
bacteria and the popularizing of the use of detergents, plus sterilizers, in
all cleaning processes
Circular letters were delivered to all food premises explaining how
cross infection was started and pointing out the advantages to be gained by
the introduction of one of the sterilizing agents in all washing operations
The campaign terminated with a one day exhibition and film show held in the
Town Hall Old Street presided over by the Deputy Mayor Mr Councillor C H
Turner, B E M Twelve leading manufacturers of materials and products
associated with the subject of clean food handling had accepted the invitation
and displayed quite a range of measures available to fight the danger of cross
infection
The attendances could have been larger but the representative cross
sections of the community that did attend were very appreciative and went away
possessed of knowledge on the subject of clean food handling which they otherwise
would not have had.