The Gloves Come Off in California Bars and Restaurants

The California law requiring employees of bars and restaurants to wear gloves or use utensils when touching anything that goes on a plate or in a drink has been repealed.  Using gloves sounded like a good idea until it was pointed out that gloves themselves become contaminated and may pass along even more bacteria as well as being awkward, costly, adding to environmental waste, and so on.

The author of the bill, Assemblyman Richard Pan, is a pediatrician.  He was also the author of the repeal.  Griping didn’t come from major food chains but chefs, restaurant and bar owners and workers made plenty of noise.

So what is the solution to cutting down on food contamination by food handlers?  Constant hand washing of course, but let’s add teaching hygienic habits to food handlers, making them aware of the things that cross contaminate such as handling money and food.  The consumer can also help by complaining to management or to the employee if they see something gross.  We’re all guilty of shutting up and putting up.   We should speak up.  Simply don’t patronize places that look grubby and have less than clean restrooms.  The Department of Homeland Security’s campaign “If you see something, say something” could apply here, too.