Missouri senator says ‘food Nazis’ block chili suppers

[proud2BlibKansan]

JEFFERSON CITY — A Missouri state senator is taking aim at health inspectors who he says are blocking charitable chili suppers.

Republican Sen. Mike Cunningham, of Rogersville, is sponsoring legislation that would let nonprofit groups prepare food in private homes and bring it to charitable fundraisers. The groups would need to post signs saying the food was prepared in a kitchen not subject to regulation.

Senators gave initial approval Wednesday to Cunningham's bill, SB432, after a Democratic senator attached an amendment exempting the St. Louis area from its provisions.

Cunningham asserted that “rogue inspectors” are acting like “food Nazis” by shutting down charitable chili suppers.

Democratic Sen. Ryan McKenna, of Crystal City, says he has heard of no problems and supports food safety efforts.

| The Associated Press


Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2013/04/18/4188570/missouri-senator-says-food-nazis.html#storylink=cpy

[Cal Carpenter]

1. Now ya know how Food Not Bombs feels

[DetlefK]

2. "No Chili for you!"

[LuvNewcastle]

3. Down here we have people making gumbo, chili, fried catfish plates,

and a host of other foods to sell for various organizations. I've never heard of anyone getting sick from any of these homemade foods.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Same here.

I don't believe this is an actual problem. This is, IMO, just one more example of a GOP rep making a mountain where there isn't even a mole hill. And using the term 'Nazi' just gets him more attention.

[LuvNewcastle]

7. Yes, this guy is likely grandstanding.

He could push the bill through without making a big show out of it, saying "look what I'm doing!" It's one way of deflecting criticism about all the shit he doesn't get done.

[HappyMe]

4. How stupid.

With all that is going on in the world, this is what .......

[Sheldon Cooper]

5. It's all well and good until there is an outbreak of food poisoning

because someone didn't prepare or store the food at safe temperatures. If I go to some charitable event, I expect the food to be prepared safely. But I'm just a food Nazi, apparently.

If all they're being asked to do is display a sign stating that the food was not prepared in an inspected kitchen, I don't understand what the big deal is - there is no cost involved to making a homemade sign and posting it.

[nessa]

8. As it stands they can't use the homemade food sign or no sign...

His proposal would allow them to use homemade food if they post a sign.

[Sheldon Cooper]

9. Oh, okay.

I must have misunderstood it. Thanks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

16. And I don't believe that.

I live in Kansas but attend plenty of events in MO. And I've never heard of this. My church is in MO and this 'food Nazi' policy has never once affected any activity involving food.

The guy is grandstanding. Creating a problem where there is none.

[Le Taz Hot]

17. The only food poisoning I've ever had

was from restaurants. NEVER from a home-cooked meal. If you've ever worked in a restaurant, trust me, they ain't that clean. Some of them are pretty disgusting as a matter of fact.

[Sheldon Cooper]

18. Yes, I've worked in restaurants and I know they can be nasty.

But at least they're supposed to follow government regs for food storage and prep. You can never tell what sorts of storage and cooking conditions are present in private homes, but I would be okay with being allowed to sell food if it's clearly posted that the food was prepared in an uninspected kitchen. I really don't think it will stop most people from buying, and at least it will be with informed consent. I buy cookies and etc. at neighborhood bake sales to support good causes and I don't really dwell on the condition of the cook's kitchen. I just eat them and enjoy.

[chervilant]

10. He COULD put all that energy

into addressing the dangers of GMOs ...

[LeftinOH]

11. "Food Nazis" = Straw man.

[LibertyLover]

12. I don't mind

food cooked in non-regulated kitchens. but would support education about food storage safety. Years ago a friend of mine and her husband went to a wedding. The bride and groom's families had cooked the food for the reception but the way the food was handled in getting it to the reception hall and while there caused several dishes to go "off". Most everyone at the reception got sick, including both my friends. I got to take care of them afterwards because I had not been invited to the reception and returned home to watch their kids. The incident was, and may be still, the largest food poisoning incident in Connecticut.

[Downwinder]

13. Put a liability sticker on each dish?

Or make the nonprofit liable? A nonprofit with a potluck fund raiser has no money, or liability insurance.

[Daemonaquila]

14. Good for him.

This will also help out Food Not Bombs and other groups that have faced arrests, fines, and harassment. The overregulation of this area is ridiculous - it's easier to "enforce" against folks making hot dogs for homeless people than to deal with actual wide-spread contamination problems in corporate food production.

[Initech]

15. These morons wouldn't have a thought in their heads if they couldn't compare anything to the nazis.