A Chinatown Butcher smoking while handing meat... are you concerned

[Matlock]

Originally Posted by Verdasco

times have changed... chinatown was so much better back then even 10 years ago

I miss that original night market, before there was a richmond one.

[Habboy]

...meanwhile, in China

[winson604]

I'm more concerned that they chop meat while wearing no gloves, don't wash their hands, handle cash, then go back to chopping meat again. Money is one of the dirtiest things out there and raw meat ain't that far behind either. Combine the 2 all day long, daaamn.

[Yodamaster]

It's disgusting behaviour no matter who is doing it, unfortunately there are a lot of people who do not take prep regulations seriously.

[ae101]

i have experiences worst in china as i live there now, but im not gonna complain about it

[vudooca]

When someone is smoking they are pretty much touching their hands with their lips. Then they transfer all that bacteria from their mouth into the food when they touch the food since they probably didn't wash their hands while or after they are smoking. Most people have Staph. When food is contaminated with this pathogen it grows crazy at room temperature and the toxin it produces is heat stable meaning when you cook it... it does not remove the toxin. Lots of people get sick by this.

Not only is this an unhygienic practice which violates some health regulations. The actual smoke and ash can contaminate the food. This concoction of chemicals is probably not going to be healthy for you.

Also, it is just down right illegal to smoke while cooking at a food facility that sells to the public as per the food premise regulation under the public health act in BC that all health inspectors use:

"Section 21(2) Every operator of food premises must ensure that no employee smokes in any area where food is prepared, dispensed or stored."

If you see something is while you are at a restaurant. You should probably take a picture of it and maybe send it to your local health inspector for him/her to take care of.

[Bahhbeehhaaaa]

at least i know this is meat he is chopping, i had rat meat in china while not knowing about it.