Category: News Item

Brewers and distillers across Scotland are using their production facilities to make hand sanitiser to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.

BrewDog, Leith Gin and Verdant Spirits are all getting involved in efforts to ramp up production of hand sanitiser, amid shortages driven by coronavirus fears.

Verdant Spirits, based in Dundee, hopes to produce 400 litres of the gel this week. Owner Andrew Mackenzie tracked down the ingredients listed on the World Health Organisation’s website.

He said: “We put out a Facebook call because we couldn’t track down any hydrogen peroxide and that paid off, so we’ve got that covered.

“We’ve got 20 litres of glycerine coming which is all we can get, because they’re rationing.”

BrewDog’s founder, James Watt, announced on social media that the company had started producing sanitiser. “We are determined to do everything we can to try and help as many people as possible stay safe,” he said.

The company said it was “working around the clock on producing the first batch to have it available for next week”, and the sanitiser will be given away to local charities and the community rather than sold.

Leith Gin, tweeted its announcement.

“We have suspended spirit production and are making high strength hand sanitiser for those in need in our local community,”

The distillery also appealed for donations of small plastic bottles to use as packaging.

he HASCOG Scotland meeting scheduled to take place at REHIS HQ on Thursday 26 March has been cancelled.

In the light of the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation the decision has been taken to postpone the presentation of this year’s Annual Environmental Health Forum, scheduled to take place on 29/30 April, and to consider its delivery in one format or another later in the year. A difficult decision to take but one that is right for the protection of public health and wellbeing in Scotland.

Please be assured that REHIS is monitoring the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. Scottish Government advice will inform any decision on whether or not to hold REHIS events and meetings and any decisions will be taken at the earliest opportunity and in the interests of public health. Decisions will be communicated to all participants, E-mail alerts will be issued to all who are registered to receive them and updates will be published on the REHIS website.

For further advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit:

www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/a-to-z-of-topics/wuhan-novel-coronavirus/ and 

www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-to-organisers-on-mass-events/.

Food Standards Scotland have published their annual report “Local Authority Food Sampling in Scotland”. 

The report utilised data from the Scottish Food Sampling Database (SFSD, formerly UKFSS) and was prepared by Food Standards Scotland, to support local authority food sampling programmes, in partnership with the Scottish Food Enforcement Liaison Committee’s Sampling and Surveillance Working Group.

The report shows that 7434 samples for the period 1st July 2018 to 30th June 2019 across all 32 Local Authorities in Scotland. 

Included are recommendations for action by local authorities for 2020/21 and areas where LA sampling programmes could support developing policy and interventions. 

Reports are available on the SFELC KHub page. 

The popular Beat the Street initiative is an innovative real-life walking game that helps build active communities with improved activity levels and a positive impact on air quality. So far, more than a million people have played the game in the UK and beyond and it is currently taking place in East Renfrewshire and East Kilbride.

The game works by encouraging people to form workplace, school or community teams and to ditch the car. Special sensors called Beat Boxes are placed on lampposts around the town or city for six weeks, which are then tapped by players with cards or fobs in return for points and prizes.

The game was devised by GP Dr William Bird who has devoted his career to encouraging people to lead more active lives and set up Reading-based technology firm Intelligent Health in 2009. The team now works with public sector health organisations and corporate partners in both the UK and around the world to tackle the massive global problem of inactivity. Each scheme is inclusive, low-cost and designed to suit people of all ages and abilities.

Beat the Street has had a positive impact in reducing the number of cars on the roads, helping to ease congestion and therefore helping with air quality; particularly at peak times. Throughout all the Beat the Street programmes delivered in Scotland in 2019, there was an 8% uplift in participants walking or cycling for travel on five or more days per week. Meanwhile, in the London Borough of Hounslow, 1,330 fewer cars and vans were observed travelling along just one Beat the Street target road following the game and in Blaby, Leicestershire, diffusion tubes situated through the district indicated a reduction of a third in air population (Nitrogen Dioxide) outside of schools.

There is now an opportunity to bring Beat the Street to your area throug Air Quality Action Fund. The closing date for this fund is 20th March.

Contact details:
Craig McGarrie
+44 (0)118 935 7371 / 07825 631137
intelligenthealth.co.uk
craig.mcgarrie@intelligenthealth.co.uk

The World Health Organisation (WHO) have published a Questions and Answers article on their website regarding the risks of E-cigarettes.

Globally, there are 1.1 billion adult smokers, 60% of them want or intend to quit. Much has been written and said about the potential of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes to help tobacco users quit. While the evidence is still inconclusive, e-cigarettes are often used along with one or more tobacco products. 

Governments who want to weigh the potential benefits and risks of e-cigarettes for their population should consider the following: 

·       Regarding the potential health effects for which the evidence is mounting, there is insufficient data to understand the full breadth of their impact on health as devices have not been on the market long enough. Especially the long-term effects of using e-cigarettes or being exposed to them are yet unknown.
·       Nevertheless, the evidence is clear that the aerosols of the majority of ENDS contain toxic chemicals, including nicotine and substances that can cause cancer. ENDS on their own are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and lung disorders and adverse effects on the development of the fetus during pregnancy. ENDS are undoubtedly harmful, should be strictly regulated, and, most importantly, must be kept away from children. Nicotine is highly addictive and found in most e-cigarettes. Both tobacco products and e-cigarettes pose risks to health and the safest approach is not to consume either.

·       It is of particular public health concern that increasingly children and adolescents take up the use of e-cigarettes in some countries. Most ENDS can be manipulated by the user. Some manufacturers also hold patents to remotely manipulate nicotine dosages and toxicant delivery. Furthermore, there is a growing body of evidence in some countries that never-smoker adolescents who use ENDS at least double their chance of starting to smoke cigarettes later in life. Exposing children and adolescents to nicotine can have long-lasting, damaging effects on brain development and lead to nicotine addiction.

WHO continues to monitor the evidence and technological developments and will adapt this statement accordingly.

Analysis of off-trade alcohol sales over the full year following the introduction of Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) has shown that the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in Scotland fell by 3.6%, according to a NHS Health Scotland report.

Compared to the 12 months which preceded implementation of MUP in May 2018, the volume of pure alcohol sold per adult in the off-trade in Scotland decreased from 7.4 to 7.1 litres. In England and Wales – where MUP has not been implemented – the volume of pure alcohol sold in the off-trade during the same year increased from 6.3 to 6.5 litres.

In the post-MUP year in Scotland per adult sales of cider fell the most (down 18.6%), while sales of spirits fell by 3.8%, and sales of beer remained relatively stable (down 1.1%). Sales of cider, spirits and beer all increased in England and Wales over the same time period. Fortified wine was the only drink category in which per adult sales in Scotland increased post-MUP.

The report also found that trends in per adult alcohol sales in the North East and North West regions of England were similar to those in the rest of England and Wales. It is therefore unlikely that cross-border sales activity can explain the changes in per adult alcohol sales in Scotland and England and Wales respectively, in the year following the implementation of MUP.

The findings also confirm that there was a step change in the average price of alcohol in Scotland immediately following the implementation of MUP. The average price of off-trade alcohol in Scotland rose by 5 pence per unit (ppu) from 55ppu to 60ppu in May 2018 – a price increase not seen in England & Wales. The rise in Scotland was driven by an increase in the average sales price of beer, spirits and most markedly cider.

“This is the first time we have been able to analyse sales data covering the full year following the introduction of MUP, and it is encouraging that off-trade alcohol sales fell in Scotland following its implementation,” said Lucie Giles, Public Health Intelligence Advisor at NHS Health Scotland.

“This analysis of alcohol sales and price in the off-trade is one of several in our evaluation portfolio that will examine the impact of MUP on the price of alcohol and population level alcohol consumption. Further studies looking at longer term, post-MUP data will report in due course”.

In late December 2019, the People’s Republic of China reported an outbreak of pneumonia due to unknown cause in Wuhan City, Hubei Province.

In early January 2020, the cause of the outbreak was identified as a new coronavirus. While early cases were likely infected by an animal source in a ‘wet market’ in Wuhan, ongoing human-to-human transmission is now occurring.

On the 30 January 2020 the World Health Organization declared that the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

In Scotland, Public health regulations have been amended to make coronavirus (Covid-19) a notifiable disease.

The changes to the Public Health (Scotland) Act 2008 mean that medical practitioners are now required to share patient information with health boards if they have reasonable grounds to suspect a person they are attending has coronavirus.

There are a number of coronaviruses that are transmitted from human-to-human which are not of public health concern. However COVID-19 can cause respiratory illness of varying severity. Currently, there is no vaccine and no specific treatment for infection with the virus. 

The Scottish Government’s approach is guided by the Chief Medical Officer, and continue to monitor the situation closely and to work with the WHO and international community.

What is Coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus. Typical symptoms include fever, a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Because it's a new illness, it is not exactly understood how coronavirus spreads from person to person, have a precise incubation period and there hasn’t been any studies on how long it might survive outside the body.

Similar viruses spread by droplets generated in coughs and sneezes and are likely to develop within a few days of exposure. Based on current information, public health advice is that anyone potentially exposed should be alert to any symptoms for 14 days after their last possible exposure. 

What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

Symptoms of a coronavirus infection usually start up to 14 days after catching the infection. Common symptoms include:

• high temperature or fever
• cough
• shortness of breath

What is the current situation?

The WHO has continued to produce daily situation reports containing the latest numbers of confirmed cases. On 20 February 2020, 99% of confirmed COVID-19 cases globally were reported from China, with 26 other countries around the world have reported confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Which areas are affected by coronavirus?

Certain areas have been identified where people are at higher risk of getting coronavirus. This includes:

• China
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

 What is the situation in Scotland?

A total of 368 Scottish tests have concluded, of which 368 were confirmed negative and 0 positive (as of 21 February 2020). For up to date figures see here.

Overseas visitors to Scotland, regardless of their residency status, are exempt from NHS charges for both the diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). `

What can be done to prevent infection with coronavirus?

Advice has been issued for people who have recently been in any of the risk areas so that the possibility of them passing on the virus is minimised. This advice includes self-isolation for people who have recently been in Wuhan City or other parts of Hubei province even if they have no symptoms. Anyone who has recently been in any risk area, and who is unwell is being managed according to national guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission of the illness.

You can reduce your risk of acquiring and spreading respiratory infections by practising good respiratory hygiene, such as:

• avoiding direct hand contact with your eyes, nose and mouth
• maintaining good hand hygiene – washing hands with soap and water or alcohol hand sanitiser, after coughing or sneezing, after going to the toilet, and prior to eating and drinking
• wherever possible avoid direct contact with people that have a respiratory illness and avoid using their personal items such as their mobile phone
• when coughing or sneezing cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues and dispose of them in the nearest waste bin after use

The operator of a North Sea trawler has been fined £50,000 over safety failures which led to the death of a crewman.

Annang Nuertey was working as a deckhand on board the Banff-registered Aquarius when he was knocked overboard by a wire in the early hours of August 17, 2015 near Girdleness Lighthouse in Aberdeen. He was not wearing a lifejacket, and sank out of view. The 47-year-old, from Ghana, has never been found.

A report by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) previously said the vessel's crew were not adequately prepared to deal with emergencies.

MB Aquarius Ltd, of Buckie, has now pleaded guilty to health and safety breaches at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

The incident was investigated by Police Scotland and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The investigation found that the company had failed to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks involved in the task of marking the trawl wire.

They had also failed to properly plan and supervise the task and ensure that there was a safe system of work in place.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "The company's failures lead to the death of Annang Neurtey. His family and friends must live with the consequences of those failings.

"This sad incident should serve as a reminder to vessel operators and the fishing industry that they should ensure that they are familiar with and adhere to the regulations and that failure to do so can have tragic consequences."

The MAIB’s published a report in 2016 about their investigation. The report contains details of what happened and the subsequent actions taken, read more.

They also published a safety flyer for the fishing industry summarising the accident and detailing the safety lessons learned has also been produced.

The UK government has confirmed plans to introduce import controls on EU goods at the border after the transition period ends on 31 December 2020.

Michael Gove has confirmed all UK exports and imports will be treated equally. This will mean traders in the EU and GB will have to submit customs declarations and be liable to goods’ checks. He also confirmed that the policy easements put in place for a potential no deal exit will not be reintroduced as businesses have time to prepare.

Businesses can prepare for border controls by making sure they have an Economic Operator Registration and Identification (EORI) number, and also looking into how they want to make declarations such as using a customs agent. We will ensure facilitations currently available to rest of the world traders will also be open to those trading between GB and EU.

Michael Gove said:

“The UK will be outside the single market and outside the customs union, so we will have to be ready for the customs procedures and regulatory checks that will inevitably follow.

As a result of that we will be in a stronger position, not just to make sure that our economy succeeds outside the European Union but that we are in a position to take advantage of new trading relationships with the rest of the world.”

HMRC extended the deadline for businesses to apply for customs support funding to 31 January 2021. To date, applications have been made for around £18.5 million out of a possible £26 million – meaning there is at least £7.5 million left to claim from HMRC.

This is aimed at GB/EU traders. This approach does not apply to the flow of trade between Northern Ireland and Ireland, or between Northern Ireland and GB.

New research by Unchecked.uk and the Times has found that nearly one in five food samples in England, Wales and Scotland contains at least one undeclared allergen. 

Out of 6,602 food samples tested for allergens by Local Authorities in 2016, 2017 and 2018, 1,213 were found to contain traces of allergenic substances. In each case there was no indication of the allergen’s presence in the food product. 

In Scotland just under 8 per cent contained an undeclared allergen, in England more than 20 per cent of samples, and in Wales nearly 44 per cent. 

Samples were taken from local food premises, such as manufacturers, takeaways, restaurants, hospitals, schools and care homes. In each case there was reportedly no declaration of the allergen’s presence in the food product.

Peanuts were the most commonly detected allergen, found in five per cent of tested food samples, but a range of high-risk allergens were found, including gluten, milk, egg, sulphites, soya, sesame, mustard and other nuts. 

Emma Rose, Director of Unchecked.uk said “These figures show that there is a real postcode lottery when it comes to food sampling. In the worst-case scenario, unknowingly consuming an allergen can prove fatal – and that is why the law requires food businesses to tell people what allergens their food contains,” 

“But regulation is only as good as the enforcement that underpins it. And it is clear that in the case of UK food law, the enforcement gap is looming large. Cuts in staff and funding have stretched regulators to breaking point, and the fall in enforcement activities is putting lives at risk.”

The fall in sampling in the last three years is part of a wider long-term decline in total food sampling, the researchers suggested, which has reportedly fallen by approximately 60 percent since 2009. According to the analysis, food law enforcement staff numbers have also fallen by a third since 2009, and there are now just three staff in post per 1,000 UK food establishments.

“This is critically important work. The presence of unlabelled allergens in a range of foods is potentially life-threatening for increasing numbers of consumers with allergies, intolerances and coeliac disease. Sampling by Local Authority Food Officers and testing by Public Analysts are essential to ensure food is safe and labelling is correct. These results are a major concern, indicating the urgent need for additional local authority resources to protect consumers,” said Dr Hazel Gowland, a leading expert in food allergy risks.

“Local authorities are required to prepare and publish a food sampling policy which commits them to providing the resources necessary to carry out a food sampling programme. Sampling programmes are expected to be risk based. Eating food outside of the home presents a risk to those with an allergic disease and sampling is the only way to ensure that caterers are managing these risks adequately if at all,” added Dr Duncan Campbell, Honorary Secretary of the Association of Public Analysts.