[Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Liverpool Port Health Authority.

  • Port Health Authority of Liverpool. n 2014184020.
Date:
1967
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1967] / Medical Officer of Health, Liverpool Port Health Authority. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/56 (page 26)
    GROUNDNUT KERNELS During the year seven consignments of these kernels came to the Port and the disposal of these was interesting and one or two will be dealt with individually. Firstly one consignment of 1,280 bags weighing 103,016 kilos and the other two of 1,891 bags weighing 153,183 kilos; unfortunately these came in September during a period of unrest in the Port and the result was that delay occurred in their discharge. When they were taken out of the ship massive infestation was found to have occurred by the Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctelia) and the kernels were so badly damaged and contaminated by the products of infestation (webbing, eggs, larvae, excreta, etc.) as to be unfit for human consumption, and they had to be rejected. There is no doubt that the degree of severity of infestation of these kernels and the amount of damage done by the moth were increased by the delay in discharging between 18th September and 30th October, which was due to the dock strike. Fumigation and cleaning was attempted as an experiment with some of the bags by the underwriters but it proved impossible to make an effective separation of any sound kernels from the damaged ones and both consignments were rejected and some were sent to Rotterdam and others were converted in this country for animal feeding. Two other consignments totalling 998 bags were fumigated in sheets on the quay and then released to warehouse under detention pending cleaning. From these bags, 16 cwts. 1 qr. 12 lbs. of rubbish was removed and the clean consignments sent back to warehouse. This was a great mistake since the warehouse which carried large cases of ground nuts and cocoa which had become infested, and three weeks later the clean con¬ signments were infested once again. Eventually the whole premises and contents were fumigated again and consignments released. The remaining two consignments were contaminated, this time by weevils and other insect excreta, webbing, etc., and 936 bags equal to 164,736 lbs. of these were sent to Rotterdam after we had communicated with the Public Health Inspector there and agreed to release them to him, for his control of their disposal. The Infestation Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food were kept informed of the details of