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Super Threats at the Super Bowl

By Megan Roth

Tomorrow is Sunday, February 1^st. Know what that means? It’s gameday, baby! Bars around the country will be jam-packed fans and non-fans alike, all eager to get in on the Super Bowl action.

To accommodate the mass crowds, many bars will offer a one price package: “$40 cover gets you unlimited Bud & Bud Light and a complimentary appetizer buffet at half” or something of the sort.

Doesn’t sound half-bad, right? But think about it – I mean really think about it. From a safety standpoint, this may not be the best deal for you.

While it may sound like a bargain (at least for me, I’m in New York City where consumers don’t bat an eye at paying eight or nine bucks for a beer), there are some nasty downsides to such deals. Unfortunately, bars with a buffet-style setup may be serving up more than complimentary appetizers.

While they may be ideal for a large group, buffets threaten one’s health for a multitude of reasons, starting at food allergies and extending all the way to the increased likelihood of contracting a form of food poisoning.

Granted, certain safety standards and practices relevant to buffet-style dining are in place; however, cram 200 football fans (the majority of whom will be slightly to full-on intoxicated) in a room with food and odds are good those safety standards are going to get stomped onto the floor with the countless empty beer bottles and used napkins that are bound to be gracing it.

One of the legislative rules set forth is that no consumers are allowed to touch the food with their hands (in fact, each food is supposed to have a separate tongs that is not to be used with any other product). Psh – when you put a stack of hot wings in the middle of a bar, try enforcing that. People will be grabbing chicken tenders by the fistful, which means the risk of food being contaminated by bacteria is drastically increased (I won’t even go into how that risk is upped, common sense here people…)

Also increasing the risks of bacteria are the ever-changing temperatures of the food. While it may be safe for certain foods to sit out for several hours, others (especially meats, melons and soft cheeses) need to be refrigerated until cooked, then served immediately.

But what if those products are close to crossing the border into danger territory before they’re even served? Many don’t realize that a buffet-style isn’t just convenient and pleasing to consumers, it’s also financially feasible for an establishment and serves as a way for the cooks to clean out the fridge by offering a sort of hodge-podge of items with no explanation as to why. Often times, the items selected are ones that are nearing or past their expiration date (I know you don’t like to think about this, but it’s true – I worked in restaurants for seven years and am willing to attest).

Have fun tomorrow, but be smart. I say eat, drink & be leary – ‘tis better to be a hungry aficionado than end up with food poisoning the next day.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Megan Roth

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on January 31, 2009 (boomark / email).