asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of investigations in Britain which disclosed serious danger to health from an occasionally fatal form of food poisoning known as salmonella if frozen chickens are cooked without being thawed out for at least eight hours; and that eight people died in Liverpool in 1968 as a result of eating chickens infected with salmonella; and, if so, if he intends to compel vendors of frozen chickens to affix a label advising purchasers of the position.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Food Poisoning.
12.
I have seen a report of investigations into an outbreak of salmonellosis in Liverpool in 1968 caused by the consumption of portioned cooked chickens. These chickens which were spit-roasted, had not been adequately thawed out after removal from deep freeze and before cooking and, according to the report, were subsequently handled under unhygienic conditions. I think the Deputy was misinformed on the question of deaths. My information is that there were no deaths in Liverpool in 1968 as a result of persons eating chickens infested with salmonella.
I have had the public health aspects of this problem under consideration and and I am awaiting further information about some scientific aspects of the matter. When this comes to hand, I shall decide, after consultation with the appropriate interests, the action which should be taken. One of the points which will be considered will be the measures necessary to alert the catering trade and consumers generally as to the precautions to be taken in thawing-out and cooking deep-freeze chickens.