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Perhaps two thirds of the time when I dine out, drinks are served with straws that are uncovered. The FDA Food Code requires straws be served with covers. Why?

If an uncovered straw is kept in a container, no doubt it got there because someone took it from a box and put it in the open container for ease of distribution. As the straw is put in the container, bare hands usually touch it. I would be amazed if anyone used gloves in that process. They are then exposed to casual touch or coughing or sneezing. Finally before it makes it into your glass, a server touches it again. No one washes their hands before touching the straws. So you end up with whatever bacteria is on their hands on your straw and in your mouth. Next time you are dining out, why not ask the waiters to just put his/her hands in your mouth and bypass the straw. Yuk!

Look at the accompanying picture. There is no way those straws can remain clean. Likely each time the server reaches for a straw, he/she touches another straw.

Your straw may have been touched multiple times.

 

Throw it away!

Be safe!

One more point on straws.

Those little dipsticks the bar tender puts in your glass as a stir rod are just as contaminated.

Don’t drink out of those.

 

 

Demand excellence. Don’t put your health at risk.

 

Dr. H Stueven
Founder

DiningGrades.com

 

 

 

Raw oysters, or for that matter, any raw seafood carries a risk for food poisoning. While there is a fascination with eating raw foods, like Sushi, there is risk. That risk includes Norovirus, Vibrio and Hepatitis A. While Norovirus is an aggravation and an inconvenience, Hepatitis A may have lasting effects. Those effects can include long-term liver disease and failure. In some cases it can cause death.

 

Until now there was no hope for the avid raw shellfish eater. Eat the raw food and take the risk.

 

Electron beam pasteurization has recently been studied by Texas A & M University as a means of reducing the risk of hepatitis A and Norovirus infections.  The FDA has approved the technology for other forms of seafood poisoning prevention.  While this is not yet commercially approved for shellfish pasteurization, it offers hope.

 

I have eaten raw oysters, when I was younger and less informed. Since studying food poisoning, I have been very reluctant to do so. I have learned of so many tragic stories. Eating raw seafood is similar to walking across a busy street blind folded. You will be fine some of the time, you risk injury some of the time and you risk death some of the time. Doesn’t seem worth it to me.

 

Pasteurization was first introduced as a means of reducing bacteria in milk in 1933. It is commonly used for reducing bacteria in fresh fruit juices. The process reduces disease and saves lives. Pasteurization uses temperature to kill the bad bugs. Electronic beam pasteurization is new to the food industry and holds promise.

 

For those still wanting to walk across the street blindfolded, at least take some precautions.

 

Dr. H. Stueven

Founder

DiningGrades.com

 

While some worry about toxins in our foods, it is the "germ" that creates the greatest risk of death and disability.

 

The fifth annual Global Hand washing Day was observed on October 15, 2012 to increase awareness of how important hand washing is in preventing disease spread.

 

 

At a party, we shake hands, share foods, sometimes prepared at home, dip out of the same bowl and spread disease. There are some food safety rules that can help.