The best restaurants flaunt, rather than fear, inspection disclosure

Posted on February 16, 2010 by Douglas Powell

Media outlets in New York and London-lite (the Ontario version) are clamoring for improvements in restaurant inspection disclosure.

The job is easier in New York, because, as reported by nyunews.com, the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced that beginning in July of 2010, restaurants in NYC will be required to display their health inspection letter grade so that it is highly visible to customers.

While gaining support from a number of people who believe the system will promote cleanliness and limit foodborne illnesses, many believe the system will be an unnecessary burden on the restaurant community. The following are reactions from managers and employees of several local restaurants.

Randy Richmond of the London Free Press writes that posting restaurant inspection results online will weed out unhealthy operations and protect the public, several local eatery owners say.

It would be better, though, if London could afford more inspectors to ensure more frequent checks, added one owner.

In New York, managers such as Elias Bourakac of Bully’s Deli said,

"I’m for it. The inspection goes through the Health Department. We passed it, we did very good. No problems, no violations."

Frank Berascha of Famous Famiglia said,

"We had almost 90 percent last year. Everything is perfect. I would have no worries."

In London-lite, the health unit is expected to announce Thursday that it will start posting inspection results online and that’s fine by restaurateurs contacted by The Free Press.

Vanessa Willis, co-owner of the Church Key said,

"I think that’s exactly how it should be done. I think the community has the right to know what restaurants are working properly and what ones are not."

Felipe Gomes, owner of Aroma said conscientious eatery owners spend thousands of dollars on equipment, supplies and training to keep operations safe and healthy, and those who cut corners should be exposed, adding, "You are dealing with the health and safety of people."

Restaurant ratings off the menu in London, Ontario

Posted on February 4, 2010 by Douglas Powell

Nearly 16 months after the local health board recommended posting food safety signs, they’re still at least a few months away, years after Toronto started with the red, yellow, green signs to advise wary consumers.

Jonathan Sher of the London Free Press (that’s in Ontario, Canada, not the U.K.) cited Jim Reffle, the director of environmental health at the London Middlesex Health Unit, as blaming the delay on a shuffling of bodies at city hall.

Reffle defended what, for Londoners, has been a decade-long wait to get the same protections offered in Toronto, a sign system that officials there linked to a 30% reduction in foodborne illness.

While Reffle first proposed a restaurant-inspection disclosure system in 2006, it took two years for he and the health board to agree on its details.

Many cities already disclose restaurant inspections, said Dr. Douglas Powell, associate professor of food safety at Kansas State University, who taught at the University of Guelph and published work on the issue in the Journal of Food Service.

In cities that post inspection findings, diners often use them to select where to eat and restaurants strive for better compliance, he found.

You might think that would reduce foodborne illness, but the research in that area is inconclusive, he said.’

If you swallow the charm, it’s your fault; London diners sign Xmas pudding waiver

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Douglas Powell

I have no use for Christmas pudding, fruitcake, or those stale, doughy cookies strewn with sprinkles.

Gross.

Christmas pudding is apparently a steamed dessert made with dried fruit, nuts, spices and brandy.

It is common to put several charms or coins in the pudding, which are believed to bring prosperity in the New Year to the person who finds them.

The owners of High Timber, a London restaurant in the financial district, say they were advised to draw up the indemnity form by lawyers who regularly dine there.

Co-owner Neleen Strauss said,

"I thought it was going to be a pain but decided to do it to cover my backside. We’re based in the City so a lot of my customers are lawyers and they suggested it. It is a bit crazy but I decided to take their advice."

The waiver says,

"I absolve entirely High Timber from all blame or liability should I come to any harm including, but not limited to, a chipped tooth, or any injury as a result of swallowing it."

E. coli O157:H7 linked to Western Fair in London, Canada, again, 10 years after 159 sickened

Posted on October 13, 2009 by Douglas Powell

There are more people tragically sick with E. coli O157:H7 from what looks like another petting zoo.

But this would be especially tragic – or hopelessly sad — if proven.

In 1999, 159 people, mainly children, were thought to be sickened with E. coli O157:H7 traced to goat and sheep at the 1999 Western Fair in London, Ontario. That’s in Canada.

Scott Weese, a clinical studies professor at the University of Guelph (that’s also in Canada) and colleagues reported in the July 2007 edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases that in a study of 36 petting zoos in Ontario between May and October of 2006, they observed infrequent hand washing, food sold and consumed near the animals, and children being allowed to drink bottles or suck on pacifiers in the petting area.

There’s been several outbreaks linked to petting zoos and state fairs in the U.K., Vancouver and Denver; and that’s just this year. A complete table of outbreaks is available at http://barfblog.foodsafety.ksu.edu/uploads/file/Petting%20zoo%20outbreaks%20chart%20bites(1).pdf.

Now, 10 years later, initial reports are emerging that four people who visited the Western Fair Agri-plex (that’s in London, Ontario, Canada) sometime between September 11 and 20, 2009, have been infected with the same strain of E. coli O157:H7.

The health unit is asking anyone who developed severe diarrhea after visiting the Western Fair to contact them at (519) 663-5317 ext 2330.

14 confirmed sick with Salmonella from London kebab shop; 41 suspected sick, including kids

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Douglas Powell

London Informer reports that health officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella poisoning linked to a Hammersmith and Fulham kebab shop which has left at least 41 people ill.

Of those 14 people have been confirmed as suffering from the potentially deadly infection.

Investigators from the North West London Health Protection Unit (HPA) are tracing the source of the infection and after early enquiries the Shahi Nan Kebab house in Uxbridge Road has voluntarily closed its doors.

Unfortunately, and no disrespect to the victims of either foodborne illness or choking on food, I can’t help but continue with the Kids in the Hall theme because it’s all I think of when I hear the word, kebab.

Three kids stricken with E. coli O157:H7 linked to London, Ontario Halal store

Posted on June 27, 2009 by Douglas Powell

The London Free Press – that’s London, Ontario, in Canada – reports that after three children were diagnosed with E coli O157:H7 infections within five days, the Middlesex-London Health Unit advised the public today to avoid eating any ground beef or spiced ground beef (kofta) purchased from Westmount Halal Food Store located at 490 Wonderland Road South.

In two of the cases, children consumed kofta purchased on June 14 and 15 from the store. The source of the third child’s infection has not been identified, but the child’s family also eats halal food, although it didn’t purchase any from the Westmount store.

The public is being advised to:

• Not eat any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today. The store is prepared to refund any customer who purchased these products.

• Contact the Health Unit (519-663-5317 ext. 2330, after hours 519-675-7523) and their healthcare provider if they have developed symptoms of severe or bloody diarrhea since June 2.

• Contact the Health Unit if they have any ground beef or kofta purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store between June 2 and today in their home.

UK celebrity restaurant Quaglino’s closes after woman celebrating 50th birthday dies, possibly related to oysters

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Douglas Powell

A leading London restaurant has been forced to close after a female diner died of a mystery illness following a 50th birthday celebration there.

Quaglino’s was shut by management this week after the death of the Denise Martin who dined at the eatery with five friends on Saturday night.

The Health Protection Agency says it is investigating food poisoning as a possible cause of death.

Mother-of-two Ms Martin was found dead in her bed by partner Roy Johal,52, on Tuesday – three days after the meal which saw her eat oysters for the first time.

Last night the restaurant refused to comment, other than to confirm it had reopened following a two-day closure.

University of Western Ontario and Salmonella:

Posted on November 18, 2007 by Douglas Powell

The London Free Press is reporting that the total number of Salmonella cases at the University of Western Ontario in London has climbed to 42 — an increase of 10 — and that none of the new cases is related to the Pita Pit, the source of the original cases.

Dr. Bryna Warshawsky of the Middlesex-London Health Unit was cited as saying the new cases involve people who ate food prepared at a central kitchen in the Centre Spot food court and distributed to other outlets on campus, and that the new cases could point to a cross-contamination at the Centre Spot, adding,

"There’s a wide variety of food items, purchased from a wide variety of places. The only common element is that the food was prepared within the Centre Spot."

Or a common ingredient. Maybe something like tomatoes? We await the public results of the health unit’s investigation.

Red hot chili closes London roads, burns throats

Posted on October 3, 2007 by Douglas Powell

Extra-hot bird’s eye chilies that had been left dry-frying at the Thai Cottage restaurant sparked road closures and evacuations in central London after passers-by complained that a chemical emanating from a Thai restaurant was burning their throats.

Associated Press reported that the London Fire Brigade sent a chemical response team, closed off roads, sealed buildings and donned special breathing masks to ferret out the source of the acrid smell as onlookers coughed.

A police spokesman said that no one was arrested, adding, "As far as I’m aware, it’s not a criminal offense to cook very strong chili."

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