Associate Professor B. L. Gordin

Ukrainian Conference of Food Sanitation Physicians and Laboratory Workers

On April 21–23, 1949, the Ukrainian Conference of Food Sanitation Physicians and Laboratory Workers was held in Kiev.

The opening address was delivered by N. A. Baran, Deputy Minister of Health of the Ukrainian SSR. Associate Professor B. L. Gordin of the Chief State Sanitary Inspectorate of the Ukrainian SSR presented a report on the work of food sanitation physicians in 1948 and their tasks for 1949.

The main theme of the conference was the hygiene of milk and dairy products.

Reports on sanitary and technical conditions in the rural milk collection network and measures for its further improvement were delivered by the sanitary physicians F. R. Dobrovskaya of the Chief State Sanitary Inspectorate of the Ukrainian SSR, A. L. Gudimova of the Zaporozhye State Sanitary Inspectorate, and M. I. Logovinskaya of the Dnepropetrovsk State Sanitary Inspectorate.

Dr. Dobrovskaya presented findings from an inspection of 11,600 milk collection points. In light of the decision adopted by the USSR Council of Ministers and the Central Committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks) on the three-year plan for the development of collective- and state-farm livestock production (1949–1951), the need to improve sanitary conditions on dairy farms and throughout the local network of milk collection, separation, and pasteurization points has become especially pressing. District sanitary and epidemiological stations must exercise the fullest possible oversight of efforts to improve milk quality.

The conference heard reports by the sanitary physicians Comrades Fuki and Billik of Odessa, entitled “Hygienic Assessment of Milk Sold at Odessa Markets and Measures to Improve Its Quality,” and by Comrade Radchenko, a chemist at the Kiev City Sanitary Station, entitled “Hygienic Assessment of Milk and Dairy Products Sold at Kiev Markets.”

Drs. Fuki and Billik reported that the quality of milk supplied to Odessa markets by suburban collective farms was improving year by year, and that in the first quarter of 1949 the proportion of milk meeting the standard’s requirements reached 96.9%. In the ensuing discussion, it was noted that milk hygiene is currently a foremost task for food sanitation physicians and that sanitary control must be strengthened from the cattle yard to the places where milk is processed and sold.

Experience in improving sanitary conditions in milk kitchens was presented by Comrade Dubovik, senior bacteriologist at the Kiev City Sanitary Station, and Comrade Mozhey, a school sanitary inspector.

A report on the sanitary and technical condition of public catering canteens in the coal and metallurgical industries of Stalin Oblast in the postwar period was presented by Comrade Leibov, the oblast state sanitary inspector for food hygiene. Despite the enormous destruction inflicted by the German occupiers, the network of mine and factory canteens has now been restored, and their sanitary and technical conditions have improved considerably. At present, 88.2% of canteens in the coal industry, 93.1% in metallurgy, 88.2% in the chemical industry, and 96.5% in heavy engineering are housed in good premises. Water supply and sewerage are provided in 96.9% of canteens in the coal industry, 88.6% in metallurgy, 100% in the chemical industry, and 96.9% in heavy engineering. The canteens are fully supplied with refrigeration equipment, running hot water, and two or three sets of sanitary clothing for each worker.

Reports on the nutrition of pupils at factory-training schools (FZO) and vocational schools (RU) were presented by the sanitary physicians Avdeeva (Dnepropetrovsk), Moskalenko (Zaporozhye), Leznik (Makeevka), and Litbarg (Odessa). Their reports presented data illustrating a considerable improvement in the pupils’ nutrition. At the same time, strengthening oversight of sanitary conditions in these canteens remains an important task.

State sanitary inspector Comrade Belousova reported on the sanitary and technical condition of the Osipenkovsky fish-processing plant and the UkrAzovrybtrest, describing major sanitary measures undertaken at fisheries along the Azov coast.

On the subject of sanitary supervision of the food industry, the following reports were heard: by sanitary physician Comrade Nikandrova (Melitopol), “A Sanitary and Technical Account of the Reconstruction and Restoration of the Melitopol Meat-Processing Plant”; Comrade Shteiner (Kharkov), “The Provision of Refrigeration to Food Enterprises in Kharkov”; Comrade Zrueva (Lvov), “A Hygienic Assessment of Sausage Minces at State and Cooperative Enterprises”; Comrades Shteiner and Panasenko (Kharkov), “A Sanitary and Hygienic Assessment of Nonalcoholic Beverages Produced by Kharkov Plants”; and Comrade Ponomareva (Dnepropetrovsk), “The Sanitary and Hygienic Condition of Meat-Processing Enterprises in Dnepropetrovsk and the Quality of Their Sausage Products.”

In a detailed report, engineer Comrade Polyachenko of the Ukrainian Gipromyasomolprom acquainted the meeting with new directions in the design of dairy and butter-and-cheese industry enterprises.

Sanitary physician Comrade Alter (Lvov) reported the results of his research on the nutritional value of vegetable cultivars grown on experimental fields in Lvov Oblast.

A report by laboratory workers Comrades Shraibshtein and Naidorf (Vinnitsa) attracted interest. They proposed a simplified acid method for market milk-testing stations to determine quantitatively the fat content of milk and sour cream without centrifugation.

Comrade Agte, one of the Donbass region’s most experienced food-hygiene physicians, presented a report on the diagnosis of foodborne toxic infections.

The Ukrainian Institute of Nutrition organized a scientific session of the institute jointly with the meeting’s participants. The session heard a report by the institute’s director, Associate Professor M. G. Kachala, “Research Topics of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Nutrition in 1949,” and several reports by the institute’s researchers: “A Sanitary and Hygienic Assessment of the Thermal Peeling of Potatoes” (Associate Professor Svershkov); “The Influence of Environmental Conditions on the Vitamin Content of Vegetables” (Kagan, Candidate of Medical Sciences); “Methods of Rational Culinary Processing of Meat and Fish to Prevent Foodborne Toxic Infections” (Dobrier, Candidate of Medical Sciences); “New Methods for Determining Preservatives in Food Products” (senior research associate Soifer); “Standards for the Construction and Design of Food-Service Facilities in Medical Institutions” (senior research associate Startsev); and “The Clinical Presentation of Foodborne Toxic Infections” (senior research associate Litinsky).

The meeting had considerable educational value for food-hygiene physicians and laboratory workers.

The systematic study and scientific analysis of material from their everyday work are the best means of improving the professional qualifications of sanitary physicians. This was demonstrated with particular clarity at the Ukrainian meeting of food-hygiene physicians and laboratory workers.