§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what study he has made of the evidence submitted to him that canning equipment in Sao Paulo, Brazil, for processing corned beef was not working to the required standard; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerMy inspector identified certain problem areas relating to the cooling and post-process handling of cans which were drawn to the attention of the veterinary authorities in Brazil in May 1979. Assurances were received at the time that urgent corrective action would be taken and we understand that this has now been done. The problems which were identified did not in themselves constitute sufficient evidence to justify regarding production from the plant as a public health hazard. On 22 June conclusive evidence emerged for the 731W first time that there was a very high probability that cans had been contaminated in the plant. In the light of the cumulative evidence, the chief medical officer at the Department of Health and Social Security decided that a public warning should be issued and arrangements made for the withdrawal of products from this cannery on sale to the public. All the cans involved in the food poisoning case were produced several months before my inspector's visit.