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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to suggests cafes should have to cover their food?

133 replies

hoven · 03/05/2023 14:50

There's a cafe in my local park that I go to with my dc.

They sell lovely cakes and usually have around 5 an the counter.

However I hardly ever end up buying them as they are left uncovered.

AIBU to suggest every food establishment should cover the food they are selling?

If anyone knows if I can report to the food standards agency please let me know

OP posts:
JandalsAlways · 03/05/2023 16:56

YANBU

IglesiasPiggl · 03/05/2023 16:57

It would be so simple to get those transparent domes to cover them on the stand, I wonder why they don't? It's definitely worth asking. I am imaging a set up similar to my local park cafe, in which case I would want the cakes protected from toddler fingers, people sneezing, etc.

Original poster
hoven · 03/05/2023 16:57

Dulra · 03/05/2023 16:50

YANBU when I was a student I worked in a Dublin city centre cafe about 30 years ago. We had uncovered cakes by the till. The cafe owner allowed local university science students do a study investigating the amount of bacteria on the uncovered cakes in comparison to the biscuits in packets. The uncovered cakes had everything skin, faces both human and animal etc can't remember exactly. Particularly bad close to money transactions. The owner never had an uncovered cake after that. Surprised some places still do

Omg see I knew this would be the case

OP posts:
Original poster
hoven · 03/05/2023 16:59

Lcb123 · 03/05/2023 16:53

And please think twice before reporting an independent small business. You could ruin the owners livelihood and life, for the sale on an over obsession with hygiene

I see it as them ruining themselves by not caring enough about hygiene

OP posts:
MysteryBelle · 03/05/2023 16:59

Absolutely the cakes should be covered.

Snoken · 03/05/2023 16:59

I would maybe worry that the cakes would be a bit stale if they are left out for a long time, but at no point would it occur to me that somebody might have farted in the vicinty and for that to be a problem. Someone could have farted in the kitchen when they baked them too. The same as they could have in cafe's where the cakes are later covered.

Original poster
hoven · 03/05/2023 17:00

IglesiasPiggl · 03/05/2023 16:57

It would be so simple to get those transparent domes to cover them on the stand, I wonder why they don't? It's definitely worth asking. I am imaging a set up similar to my local park cafe, in which case I would want the cakes protected from toddler fingers, people sneezing, etc.

I think it's quicker to serve people by not having to cover them

OP posts:
TheOrigRights · 03/05/2023 17:03

hoven · 03/05/2023 16:35

@FrownPrincess yes but the fact we can smell them means there are particles in the air. It's the poo particles we are smelling there is no such thing as fart

Farts smell due to gas e.g. hydrogen sulphide.
If you are releasing poo particles it's faecal incontinence.

QuintanaRoo · 03/05/2023 17:05

I always think this about the Lidl bakery section with flies on the bread rolls. 🤮

TheOrigRights · 03/05/2023 17:05

I would not buy an uncovered cake.
The thought that a toddler (or child or adult) might have wiped snot off their nose and then touched the cake makes me heave.
It would also likely be quite dry and have been eaten and regurgitated by flies.

mosiacmaker · 03/05/2023 17:06

I wonder if it’s the same park cafe I go to - the cakes are right at face level where you pay and I just imagine all the people coughing/breathing on them and never buy! I’m not sure it’s an actual food safety issue but it definitely grosses me out

TheOrigRights · 03/05/2023 17:06

QuintanaRoo · 03/05/2023 17:05

I always think this about the Lidl bakery section with flies on the bread rolls. 🤮

With Lidl it's that and people have a quick squeeze of the product to see how fresh it is.

StarlightLady · 03/05/2023 17:08

From Food Standards Agency "

"If you choose to store your cake at room temperature, it must be covered at all times. This is to prevent dust and any insects from getting to the product. A simple cake cover can be used or large bowl, on the condition that the cover touches the surface to ensure nothing can slip underneath"

QuintanaRoo · 03/05/2023 17:09

Dulra · 03/05/2023 16:50

YANBU when I was a student I worked in a Dublin city centre cafe about 30 years ago. We had uncovered cakes by the till. The cafe owner allowed local university science students do a study investigating the amount of bacteria on the uncovered cakes in comparison to the biscuits in packets. The uncovered cakes had everything skin, faces both human and animal etc can't remember exactly. Particularly bad close to money transactions. The owner never had an uncovered cake after that. Surprised some places still do

That’s just reminded me of an experiment we did in biology at school which was similar. The uncovered stuff had loads more bacteria. We grew samples in Petri dishes and the next day the uncovered stuff Petri dish was like a fungus and the other only a few bits.

QuintanaRoo · 03/05/2023 17:10

StarlightLady · 03/05/2023 17:08

From Food Standards Agency "

"If you choose to store your cake at room temperature, it must be covered at all times. This is to prevent dust and any insects from getting to the product. A simple cake cover can be used or large bowl, on the condition that the cover touches the surface to ensure nothing can slip underneath"

So how come Lidl get away with it. ?

it’s bread, little pizzas, cakes, doughnuts!

TheOrigRights · 03/05/2023 17:10

The people on this thread that are not bothered by uncovered cakes are clearly not the ones boiling t.towels after a single use!

Galwaygirl · 03/05/2023 17:11

Saw a man sneeze over uncovered food in a cafe and have never bought food from a cafe again that does not cover their food!

Summerfun54321 · 03/05/2023 17:12

hoven · 03/05/2023 16:25

@KnickerlessParsons from farts! Many illnesses are transferred through faeces

Illnesses transfered through farts!? Can you imagine the covid prevention slogan "hands, face, space, farts".

MasterBeth · 03/05/2023 17:14

hoven · 03/05/2023 16:05

If I had people standing, breathing and reaching over me like the cakes have I would be

Show quote history

Are these people breathing out poo particles? How do you think people poo?

JagerbombsUnite · 03/05/2023 17:20

YANBU OP!
Such a cheap and simple measure. Not doing it shows lack of care.

quirkychick · 03/05/2023 17:22

Omg, there used to be a café/deli near us that had a table in the window of uncovered cakes and sandwiches, which always had flies on them and the sandwiches should have been chilled. It was supposed to look enticing but just put me off. I agree a cake cover is easy.

usernother · 03/05/2023 17:27

If you don't like it don't buy them. It wouldn't bother me in the slightest.

Farmerama1 · 03/05/2023 17:31

God, Mumsnet at its finest 😂

Blueuggboots · 03/05/2023 17:35

hoven · 03/05/2023 16:25

@KnickerlessParsons from farts! Many illnesses are transferred through faeces

Seriously?? Is it full of naked people??!! How many "poo particles" do you think fire through pants and clothes?

I agree that flies are a problem but the rest? Good grief.

AskMeMore · 03/05/2023 17:40

OP if you had ever worked in a food factory you would never buy any food again.

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