Bears May Be Hazard

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 18

Bears May Be Hazard

(N.Z. Pr«M AMOCtalton) DUNKDIN, Dee. 20. The water-filled. Polar bean handed to Um Health Department In Dunedin last week were potentially hazardous, the district medical officer of health (Dr. F. A. de Hamel) said today. Bacteria had been found in the bear tested, he said, “and if any bacteria are present, there is always the possibility there could bis disease-causing organisms present” Investigations are continuing. The match-box-sized bears are used for cooling drinks. They were supplied to the Health Department by a private individual. “Any plastic container of this sort in which the water is sealed at manufacture would be of interest to us—particularly those designed for cooling drinks or in any way connected with food or sucking (teething rings for instance),” Dr. de Hamel said. Search By Department The Christchurch office of the Health Department has not yet found any water-filled plastic polar bears on sale in Christchurch.

Made in Hong Kong, the bears are used for cooling drinks and have been found in the United States to contain contaminated water.

The Christchurch Medical Officer of Health (Dr. L. F. Jepson) said that his staff were looking for them in Christchurch. If any were found bacteriological tests would be made, unless the results were known by then of the tests being made on the bears forwarded to the department in Dunedin.