Shoot, with the season of Lent upon us, I can't shop on the weekends because of my seafood allergies....the smell of shrimp, alone, makes me really sick.
I still go to the family reunion pot luck and the only one anyone has ever gotten sick from is when we have an outside cater! Go figure! (Iowa, September, potato salad...yuck.)
Our school hasn't done one in years because you always get the families that bring a quart of jello salad and 6 members that eat two plates of food! UGH!
I have to agree. While I wouldn't let my worst enemies eat food prepared by some members of our community, I also know how unsafe restaurants can be. Food not being held at correct temps, cross contamination, mice, roaches, flies. It's not just the lttle places either. Our local CBS channel runs a BOH critical citation special every few weeks, and some of the most exclusive and posh places in Manhattan are virtual timebombs! It's a wonder none of them have made people sick! I suffer from OCD, and germs is one thing I have a hang-up with. If I eat anything from a bake sale I only choose the stuff when I know the cook.
That said, I can see the need to be VERY careful about potlucks. There are plently of people I know where I wouldn't eat off their plates, let alone eat something I didn't see them prepare! I guess it comes down to each community doing what it thinks is best. I happen to like potlucks, even if you have to eat the occasional, "what-the-hell-is-this-dish?" A church near me has an "international night" every year, and it's a sell-out before it gets to the public. The only way anyone outside the church gets to go is if you're friends with a member. I've gone a couple of times, and the food was amazing. I'd be sad to see it go because my OCD got in the way!
I understand that everyone's tolerance level is different. And I'm not related to a health inspector. But I totally agree with newtothescene. I think (unless you grow and make everything yourself) we all take chances with the things we buy and eat. I've seen a napkin swimming in a sealed bottle of soda. We routinely read in the paper of the product recalls because of sanitation or contamination reasons.
<newtothescene>
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20 years 8 months ago#70635by <newtothescene>
When I first read these posts I agreed, but something just didn't set right. Maybe it's because I am from an area where potluck dinners are not only about the food, but about people who want to help,enjoy some fellowship, and yes, compare recipes. As a relative of a health inspector, I've heard the horror stories of the conditions of restaurant kitchens (this relative complains of this because her husband won't take her many places because he knows what the kithcens look like!) It is true that we are taking a risk by not knowing who brought what, that problem could be lessoned by keeping a list of who you ask, and limit who you ask. Our church, schools and local 4-h, etc, etc, thrive on the communities generousity when it comes to a carry in meal. And it seems sad to me there are people who cannot allow themselves to enjoy not only the wonderful food but also the chance to fellowship with some very generous people. I personally cannot no think of ANY situation, restaurant, catering service or otherwise that we are not at some risk to find a hair, or heaven forbid something worse. That is life!
I have seen kitchens so dirty that the cheerios got weevils. (In this area I've only seen them in flour bags before that incident.) It's a good idea to restrict where food comes from. Plus, not everyone knows all the food safety rules.
Some web sites about food service at community events:
I dislike two things about the article in the blog:
1. The town outlawing the pot lucks. I'd much rather it be a choice for each group. The town's ruling appears to even rule out an International Night, where (for example) 5 or 6 carefully chosen families might prepare food from their home countries.
2. The fact that we have to worry about stuff like this.
