Author: Sarah Groom

Food Standards Agency have published guidance on risks associated with raw flour and controls to reduce risk.

Flour doesn’t look like a raw food, but all flour is raw. That means it hasn’t been treated to kill germs that cause food poisoning, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). These bacteria are widespread in the environment and can contaminate grain while it’s still in the field or flour while it’s being processed. Steps like grinding grain and bleaching flour don’t kill harmful bacteria and these germs can end up in flour products or baking mixes you buy in shops.  

It is particularly important for vulnerable people, such as children under 5, those with compromised immune systems and older people, to not taste or eat raw dough or batter. This is because their immune system may not be able to fight off infections as easily.  

Foods to be careful with include dough or batter for foods like cookies, cakes, pie crusts, pizza, biscuits and pancakes. Also, crafts made with raw flour, such as homemade play dough can be risky. Ensure you clean hands, surfaces and utensils after use to avoid cross-contamination. 

Using raw flour safely

Here are some helpful tips to follow when using flour: 

• Ensure that children don’t play with or eat raw dough, including dough for crafts, unless it has been heat-treated beforehand
• Bake raw dough, such as cookie dough, and batter, such as cake mix, before eating
• Make sure to not use raw homemade cookie dough in ice cream unless it has been made with heat-treated flour (cookie dough ice cream sold in shops contains dough that has been treated to kill harmful germs) 
• Keep raw foods, such as flour, separate from ready-to-eat foods – because flour is a powder, it can spread easily
• Follow storage instructions carefully for food containing raw dough until they are baked or cooked (for example, ready to eat cookie dough or ready rolled pastry) 

Always clean up  thoroughly after handling flour, eggs, or raw dough:

• Wash hands with soap and warm water after handling flour or any surfaces they have touched 
• Wash bowls, utensils, and other surfaces with warm, soapy water or a suitable cleaning agent
• Make sure countertops are cleaned thoroughly

Heat treating flour

You can treat flour by heating it to make it safe. You can then use it to make foods like raw cookie dough or in dough for crafts.  

We don’t recommend using a microwave to sterilise flour, as there can be a risk of uneven heating. We also don’t recommend using an air fryer, as the air circulation makes it unsuitable.  

Ideally, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the flour when cooking. The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes. If you don’t have a thermometer, make sure to stick to the following timings and temperatures.  

Using an oven: 

• Pre-heat the oven to 200°C/fan 180°C/gas mark 4 
• Spread the flour out evenly on a lined baking tray and bake for 5 minutes, stirring half-way through. 
• Ideally, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the flour in a few different spots when stirring and after 5 minutes
• The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes 
• Make sure to cool the flour before using

Using a frying pan: 

• Tip the flour into a heavy-based frying pan and place over a medium heat 
• Stir constantly for about 4 minutes until all the flour is hot
• Ideally, use a food thermometer to check the temperature of the flour in a few different spots
• The flour should be heated to 70°C for a minimum of 2 minutes 
• Make sure to cool the flour before using

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Annual Environmental Health Forum

On behalf of our President, Lynn Crothers, we would like to thank all our speakers, delegates, invited guests, Institute staff and the staff of Queen Margaret University for this year’s Annual Environmental Health Forum, which was held on 24 April 2024 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh.

Through the varied and informative presentations there were great discussions on ‘how does the profession remain resilient with global, international and local pressures?’. We would also like to congratulate all the award recipients.  A full report will be in the next Journal edition.   It was a great day with interesting speakers, excellent networking opportunities and to cap it all – the sun shone brilliantly! 

Top Photo – REHIS President – Lynn Crothers

Bottom Photo – REHIS Directors and Chief Executive

Pollution Update Course, 22 May 2024

The Pollution Update Course is taking place on Wednesday 22 May 2024 via MS Teams and is packed with a variety of interesting and topical subjects.

The event will open with an introduction from Scottish Government in what they are currently involved with, regarding noise, air quality and contaminated land. We will then take a closer look at noise and renewables with respect to air sourced heat pumps. The event will continue with an update on LEZs from Glasgow City Council, problems associated with lithium leakage from batteries and a further insight into developments into fly tipping initiatives.

There will be opportunity for questions and further discussion. For information and booking arrangements see Pollution Update – REHIS

Community Training

This Institute recently hosted a two-day NHS/PHS Scottish Mental Health First Aid course in the REHIS Office. Some of our approved training centres presenters and staff were trained up by Gwen Robertson, Scottish Mental Health Training, in preparation for the soon to be launched REHIS Mental Health First Aid course.

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported a human case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus in Texas. The case was identified in a person who had direct exposure to dairy cattle presumed to be infected with avian influenza.

In a health alert on 1 April, Texan health officials said a dairy worker had developed mild conjunctivitis, or ‘pink eye’, after close contact with a dairy herd. Testing later confirmed that they had caught H5N1.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC, this is the second human case of H5N1 flu in the United States and the first linked to an exposure to cattle. In March, the Texas Animal Health Commission announced the first cases of avian influenza A(H5N1) in dairy cattle in the Texas Panhandle.

The Texas Department of State Health Services are now working CDC and other state and federal health agencies to investigate the human and animal cases and understand how the virus is spreading in order to protect livestock and people who work with it.

In recent years, H5N1 has killed millions of wild birds and poultry across the globe. However, in unexpected developments, it has also jumped to animals including cats, bears, foxes, mink and sea lions. This has raised concerns that the virus could have space to evolve to better infect and spread between mammals – and potentially also humans. 

Cows were added to that ever-growing list just last week, when the United States reported H5N1 infections in dairy herds. Since then, cases have been confirmed or are under investigation in five states – Texas, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico and Idaho. 

Although cows can contract other forms of influenza and a study in 2008 found cattle could contract H5N1, this is the first time the virus has actually been found in herds.

While the cows do not become seriously ill, a race is now underway to determine whether they were infected via wild birds – which have been found dead on some farms – or whether the virus has started to spread between herds, which has not yet been proven nor ruled out. It would be a concern if the virus has mutated to spread more easily between cows. 

Over 230 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish and waste has been removed from a fly-tipping black-spot at Friarton, Perth.

The site on the banks of the River Tay has been cleared thanks to a joint effort by Perth and Kinross Council, Scottish Water, SEPA and Tay Salmon Fisheries.

Heavy machinery took three days to clear the fly-tipped waste from the land at Lower Friarton. The rubbish was taken to local waste sites for metal and plastic to be recycled.

The land is privately owned and has attracted illegal fly-tippers for many years. Although it is not the Council’s responsibility to clear fly-tipped waste from private land, the problem was getting out-of-control so a decision was taken to act for the good of the local environment.

The cleared area will now be further tidied up by the Council’s Unpaid Work Team, before fences and walls are erected either side of the road to discourage future fly-tipping. Mobile cameras have also been installed to catch any perpetrators in the act.

Council Leader, Councillor Grant Laing, said: “This area has been an eyesore for some time, and so I am very glad that this partnership effort has got the site cleared. Rubbish and waste was being dumped right at the edge of the river and so it was posing an environmental risk.

“We estimate that some of the illegally dumped waste had been there for around 15 years, and the fact we took away over 200 tonnes showed the scale of the problem.

“We hope the additional work we will carry out down at the site will prevent the problem reoccurring. Mobile cameras have been installed that will catch anyone who dumps illegally, so anyone planning to fly-tip at the site should think again.

“People who illegally dump rubbish in Perth and Kinross should know that we will investigate them, gather evidence and prosecute them whenever possible. Fly-tippers can end up with a £500 fine and in serious cases they will end up in court with a criminal record.

“There is absolutely no excuse for fly-tipping. Perth & Kinross provides several ways to get rid of bulky waste, including at our recycling centres and through special waste uplifts.”

Alex Macaskill, SEPA Unit Manager Falkirk, Alloa, Stirling and Perth, said: “Illegal operators often hide what they plan to do with waste they collect, which can lead to fly-tipping like we’ve seen at Friarton. This partnership approach helped tackle the issue here, but the first line of defence is stopping criminals getting their hands on waste in the first place.

“Services that sound too good to be true often are – and could lead to your waste being illegally fly-tipped. If you’re planning a clear-out, you can help tackle waste crime by refusing to engage the services of people that are not authorised. Don’t entrust your waste to someone if they are unable to tell you basic information like their SEPA waste carrier registration number and the named site they are taking the waste to.

“Remember, if they dispose of it illegally and we can trace the waste back to you – you can be held to account and prosecuted or fined as well. A legitimate operator should be able to tell you their SEPA waste carrier licence number and the exact location your waste will be taken to. If they won’t provide those two pieces of information don’t give them your waste.”

A spokesperson for Scottish Water added: “Illegal and irresponsible fly-tipping at this site has been a concern for a number of years, not least for our colleagues travelling to and from Perth Waste Water Treatment Works as they too often had to navigate dumped items and broken glass spilling onto the road.

“This is a good example of what can be achieved through collaborating with our partners, transforming the site into a cleaner, safer space for wider community and environmental benefit. We hope it encourages people to take pride in Perth and use the correct facilities to dispose safely of waste.”

Paul Johnston, chief executive of Public Health Scotland, has called for a preventive approach to tackle the decline in the nation’s health.

In an article for the think tank Reform Scotland, Mr Johnston said the life expectancy gap between the richest and poorest was growing. He also called for a preventative approach for older people, warning that the burden of disease from an ageing population is likely to grow.

Mr Johnston said the health service could not deal with the issue alone and wide-ranging improvements around poverty, work, education, housing and other areas were needed.

Improvements in Scottish life expectancy stalled in about 2014 to 2016, and the most recent data showed a decline.

He went on to say said the NHS cannot deal with the issue alone and wide-ranging improvements around poverty, work, education, housing and other areas are needed.

Mr Johnston said: “Excellent health services will support improved health and wellbeing of our population as a whole – but cannot bear all the responsibility for this.

“Tackling poverty impacts on health, as does the availability of good work, high-quality education and childcare, affordable housing, addressing climate change, and tackling racism.”

He called for a “collective focus” on the issue, saying: “People in Scotland now die younger than in any other Western European country. People spend more of their lives in ill health.

“The gap in life expectancy between the poorest and the wealthiest is growing.

“We have seen great progress in the past but, at the moment, Scotland’s health is getting worse.

“We must be bold and brave in the face of the health challenges we face.

“A focus on increasing prevention is increasingly gaining traction and it is important we look to shape these opportunities, particularly in reforming and modernising our public services.”

Read the full article here.

Glasgow Science Centre will be running the latest session of the Learning Lab “Our Amazing Air” starting in April 2024. 

Learning Lab is an online  STEM  learning  programme for  the  classroom and home which aims to inspire and empower learners through relevant, varied learning experiences that take place over several weeks. Each unique programme comprises lesson plans, video content and interactions with experts as well as professional learning for teachers and family support.

The Our Amazing Air programme is intended to deliver a learning programme for P5 – P7 pupils supporting learners to investigate what air is and why it is so important for us, what air pollution is and how we monitor it, how air quality can be improved and some of the steps we all can take to have a positive impact on air quality and the environment.

The programme includes a variety of materials and support for teachers including an online teacher training session on 24 April 2024, classroom activities, and teaching materials delivered over a dedicated six week learning block of two hourly sessions per week, complementing the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) outcomes. The pupils also get the opportunity for a live meet the expert Q & A session and a visit to the Science Centre. The programme is available for every primary school in Scotland. The teaching session also culminates with resources and events to coincide with Clean Air Day, scheduled for 15^th June.

For more information on the teaching programme see brochure here. To register for a place, e-mail:learninglab@gsc.org.uk or visit: Take Part in Learning Lab | Glasgow Science Centre

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have published a scientific opinion, which shows many of the most commonly farmed and consumed fish in the EU/EFTA show no evidence of parasites that can infect humans. However, parasites were found in some farmed species and more data is needed to determine how prevalent certain parasites are in farmed fish.  

Although limited, available scientific data from the EU/EFTA area, indicates that many species of farmed fish intended for the market are free from zoonotic parasite infection. These include Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, gilthead seabream, turbot, meagre, Atlantic halibut, carp, and European catfish.  

However, in European seabass, Atlantic bluefin tuna, cod, and/or tench produced in open offshore cages or flow-through ponds parasites like Anisakis and others were found

Fish produced in closed recirculating aquaculture systems with filtered water intake and heat-treated feed are almost certainly free of zoonotic parasites.  

EFSA’s experts concluded that more data is needed to estimate the prevalence of specific parasites in selected fish species, farming systems, and production areas within the EU/EFTA region. This would provide a comprehensive picture of the various combinations of main farmed fish species and relevant parasites. 

Experts assessed new methods for detecting zoonotic parasites in fishery products. These include UV-scanning, optical, molecular and OMICs methodologies.  

They also assessed methods for the inactivation of these parasites. Freezing and heating remain the most efficient ways to kill them. Ongoing research is also exploring the effectiveness of various processing techniques, such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric field, air drying, dry-salting, double salting, and use of natural products.  

EFSA’s experts will determine by the year’s end whether any wild fish species from specific fishing areas pose a risk to public health due to the presence of zoonotic parasites.  

An international group of experts are asking for mandatory indoor air quality standards, for spaces in which people spend a significant proportion of their time.

In a paper published by the journal Science, Professor Lidia Morawska, Vice-Chancellor Fellow at the University of Surrey, along with a team of over 40 air quality specialists from around the world, has recommended setting standards for ventilation rate and three key indoor pollutants: carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and PM2.5.

Professor Morawska said: ‘Most countries do not have any legislated indoor air quality performance standards for public spaces that address concentration levels of indoor air pollutants.

‘To have practical value, indoor air quality standards must be implementable by designing new buildings that are built, operated and maintained to standard or retrofitted to meet the standards.

‘While there is a cost in the short term, the social and economic benefits to public health, wellbeing and productivity will likely far outweigh the investment in cost in achieving clean indoor air.’

The paper identifies five challenges that need to be addressed: 

Source contributions: Indoor air quality is affected by sources indoors and out. Significantly, indoor air is affected by humans breathing – the cause of most respiratory infections and controlling respiration is not as  simple as addressing other sources.

Monitoring: Methods used to measure outdoor air quality – monitoring networks and modeling – cannot  be applied to indoor air quality and significantly, there is no way to monitor indoor pathogens in real time.

Legislation: Guidelines and Standards are insufficient unless they are adopted in legislation but even then challenges exist in terms of monitoring and enforcement. 

Industry priorities: An example cited here is the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry, which focusses primarily on thermal comfort and energy efficiency, which is what the public are demanding. Any legislative changes will likely haver a financial impact on industry, so they will tend to resist it. 

The social and political dimension: Introducing standards is complex for a variety of reasons, not least because of issues of local attitudes, custom and the potential cost involved.  

Recognising that enforcement of indoor air quality standards in homes is unfeasible, the report suggests that standards be mandatory for public spaces while homes are designed and equipped to meet those standards, with ventilation a key.

Professor Morawska said: ‘The technologies for measuring ventilation already exist in most modern mechanically ventilated buildings but monitoring ventilation rates in terms of clean air delivered to the space requires us to consider the number of people and their activities in the space to ensure adequate IAQ.

‘A practical ventilation standard could be air from outside (assumed to be clean), or clean recirculated air to the entire occupied zone and with airflow not directed from one person to another.

‘Additional measures in support of ventilation, such as air cleaning and disinfection, could greatly reduce the need to increase the outdoor air supply, which carries a heavy energy demand.

‘Filtering recirculated air is an effective way to reduce concentration of, and thus our exposure to, airborne particulate matter, allergens and pathogens.’

Focus should be on pollutants which can be monitored easily and cheaply, specifically PM2.5, CO2 and CO.

Professor Morawska again: ‘CO2 can serve as a proxy for occupant-emitted contaminants and pathogens and to effectively assess ventilation quality,” she said.

‘We propose a CO2 concentration level of 800ppm with the proviso that outdoor concentration is used as a baseline and recognition of the fact that outdoor concentrations are increasing due to emissions to the atmosphere that outweigh removal.

‘Another key indicator of air quality we addressed is the amount of PM2.5 and we propose the WHO air quality guidelines as a basis for indoor air quality standards but with a 1-hour averaging time, as the 24 hours of the WHO AQG is much longer than people usually spend in public places.’

The paper ‘Indoor air quality standards in public buildings’ is published in Science.

The European Commission (EC) has published proposed amendments to its regulations for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. This is in an effort to align EU rules with Codex Alimentarius standards. If adopted, the new regulations would go into effect after January 1, 2026. The draft act is open for public comment until May 8, 2024.

The draft regulations would amend Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005, which sets the criteria for certain microbial contaminants in food and implements hygiene requirements for food producers.

At present, Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 states that, with the exception of foods intended for infants and special medical purposes, L. monocytogenes cannot be detected in 25 g of RTE foods (that are able to support pathogen growth over time to eventually exceed 100 cfu/g) before such products leave the production facility. However, Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 does not provide that the same criterion applies to these foods once they have left the immediate control of the producing food business operator.

The EC is proposing amendments to Annex I of Regulation (EC) No. 2073/2005 to guarantee the same level of public health protection from production to distribution for RTE foods (other than those intended for infants and for special medical purposes) that are able to support the growth of L. monocytogenes. The proposed amendments would apply the criterion “L. monocytogenes not detected in 25 g” to all situations where covered RTE foods are placed on the market during their shelf-life and for which the producing food business operator has not been able to demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the competent authority, that the level of L. monocytogenes will not exceed the limit of 100 cfu/g throughout the food’s shelf life.

The amendment is in light of the fact that that the number of human listeriosis cases in the EU rose by 15.9 percent from 2021 to 2022, and because 2022 saw one of the highest fatality rates associated with foodborne listeriosis, EU regulators determined it necessary to update the food safety criteria for L. monocytogenes to protect public health.

Food Standards Scotland and Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee have created a guidance document for food standards for Butchers.

The guidance provides information on the legal references, as well as illustrations of labelling to ensure compliance. The guide will assist businesses as well as enforcement officers. It should provide clarity and a source for reference in the vent of differences of opinion as to how labelling etc. should be formatted.

The guidance can be access here.

The Scottish Parliament has voted to continue and increase the minimum unit price for alcohol by 15p to 65p per unit and will take effect from 30 September 2024.

This concludes a lengthy process which included a robust and independent evaluation by Public Health Scotland, further public consultation and intense parliamentary scrutiny.

Research conducted by Public Health Scotland and the University of Glasgow estimated that MUP had reduced alcohol-attributable deaths by 13.4% – 156 a year – and was likely to have reduced hospital admissions wholly attributable to alcohol by 4.1% up to the end of 2020 compared to what would have happened if MUP had not been in place.

Public health experts wrote an open letter to The Lancet last August commending Public Health Scotland’s evaluation of minimum unit pricing commenting that it was “high quality” and “comprehensive”.  

As part of a review of the level of minimum unit price, the Scottish Government commissioned the University of Sheffield Alcohol Research Group, who are experts in this field, to undertake new modelling. Putting their analysis in the context of current prices, this estimated that continuing and raising MUP to 65p could avert an additional 60 deaths and 774 fewer hospital admissions in the first year, compared to the price remaining constant in real terms.

Public attitudes research published in September 2023 found that overall more people were likely to be in favour of MUP (43%) than against it (38%) – in line with previous Scottish Social Attitudes Survey findings on MUP at intervals between 2013-2019.

PHS evaluation found there was no clear evidence of substantial negative impacts on the alcoholic drinks industry.

As part of a ‘sunset clause’ when Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation was introduced in 2018, it had been due to end on 30 April, however today’s vote by MSPs ensures its continuation.

In addition, a price increase was required to counteract the effects of inflation, with a rise to 65p selected as the Scottish Government seeks to increase the positive effects of the policy.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Christina McKelvie said:

“I’m pleased that Parliament has agreed to continue MUP legislation and to raise the level it is set at.

“Research commended by internationally-renowned public health experts estimated that our world-leading policy has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions and contributed to reducing health inequalities.

“Despite this progress, deaths caused specifically by alcohol rose last year – and my sympathy goes out to all those who have lost a loved one. However, as a letter to The Lancet by public health experts makes clear, it is likely that without MUP there would have been an even greater number of alcohol-specific deaths.

“As we have made clear, the policy aims to reduce alcohol-related harm by reducing consumption at population level, with a particular focus on targeting people who drink at hazardous and harmful levels. 

“We believe the proposals strike a reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and impact on consumers. Evidence suggests there has not been a significant impact on business and industry as a whole but we will continue to monitor this.”

A consultation on the implementation of the ban and draft impact assessments, including a Strategic Environmental Assessment has been launched by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Government, along with the UK Government and the Welsh Government, are proposing to introduce a prohibition on the sale and supply of single-use vapes (hereafter referred to as a ban on single-use vapes).

The Scottish Government have gathered views on their approach to this legislation through the consultation on Creating a smokefree generation and tackling youth vaping which ran from October to December 2023. Read the government response to this consultation.

They also held a two-week technical consultation from 23 February 2024 to 8 March 2024 on the draft Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 that would give effect to a ban. Following that consultation the Scottish Government have made updates to the definition of a single-use vape and enforcement powers. The finalised Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 are published alongside this consultation.

The consultation is open until Tuesday 14 May and can be viewed here.

The following have also been published: 

An interim Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

Stage 1 Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment

Interim Stage 2 Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment

Interim partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

Interim Equality Impact Assessment

An Island Communities Impact Screening Assessment

A strategic environmental assessment report