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IMPORTED CHEDDAR CHEESE
Investigation of the bacteriological condition of imported cheese of various origins was,
early in the year carried out in the Port of London involving the examination by the Public Health
Laboratory Service of 111 samples.
Although little information was available which would be of assistance in assessing fitness
for human consumption based upon bacteriological examination, and there appeared to be only two
isolated instances of food poisoning attributable to the consumption of cheese, nevertheless
certain of the reports indicated contamination by staphylococcus Aureus, an organism which is
often responsible for food poisoning and the Medical Officer considered that he was justified in
taking action in the matter.
The Authorities of the exporting country were informed that samples of cheese had given
results upon bacteriological examination which were inconsistent with those to be expected from
cheese deriving from pasteurised dairy products and that it appeared contamination was being
introduced at some stage of processing.
A letter was subsequently received from the Government Department concerned outlining the
measures being adopted and the research work in progress in order thatthe source of contamination
be traced and eliminated. It was evident that this Department was greatly disturbed by the facts
disclosed by the survey of their produce in London.
On 16th March, the Medical Officer met representatives of this exporting country when the
whole position was discussed.
During the ensuing weeks reports were received from two local authorities of outbreaks of
food poisoning in hospitals which were subsequently established to be due to the consumption of
cheese imported from the country in question.
The number of persons affected in these two outbreaks was approximately 120.
Preliminary enquiries suggested that a grade of cheese intended for manufacturing was
responsible for the food poisoning outbreaks at the hospitals, and subsequent investigations
confirmed this. As a result of these incidents the country concerned has required that in future
all cheese be manufactured from pasteurised dairy products.
DESICCATED COCONUT
Since December 1959 all desiccated coconut imported from Ceylon has been detained pending
bacteriological examination following the findings of fairly widespread Salmonella contamination.
The following letter was received from the Ceylon Coconut Board in September 1961 and the
picture now presented is vastly different from that originally presented by reports of the universally
complete disregard of hygiene in the mills.
"Applications from 80 Desiccated Coconut millers for the registration of their mills have
been received by the Board and inspections of these mills are being made to ascertain whether
they are providing themselves with the equipment and adopting the measures called for by the
Board for the 1st stage of the implementation. These requirements are as follows
(a) the provision of a sterilising device to sterilise the coconut during manufacture.
(b) sectionalisation of the mill to prevent recontamination afterthe coconut is sterilised.
(c) chlorination of water.
(d) provision of mechanical packing equipment for packing in export containers at the
mill.
(e) medical examination of all workers employed in the post sterilisation processes to
ensure that they are not carriers of pathogenic organisms.
As soon as the Board is satisfied that a sufficient number of mills are suitably equipped,
shippers will be notified that licences for the export of Desiccated Coconut will be given only
for the produce of such mills. These mills will be given an identification mark (code No.) which
will appear on all export packages containing their produce. It is not possible at present to say
exactly when this measure will be introduced but we would state tentatively that it should not
take more than 5 to 6 weeks.
We are also going ahead with our arrangements to establish a Bacteriological Laboratory for
the routine testing of the daily production of all registered mills. Orders have been placed for
the necessary equipment and the Laboratory staff is being recruited. Additional staff to carry out
the inspection of mills will be assuming duties at the end of this month. After a short training
course in Colombo they will be posted to the areas where the mills are situated."
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