You can't serve that here !

[GostHacked]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/03/18/pei-free-range-egg-ban-584.html

A P.E.I. bed and breakfast that has been operating for decades has decided to close down next year rather than stop serving eggs from its own hens because of a government order.

Now I am all for quality of food and food inspections, but if this place has had the reputation and been in business that long, and eat their own food that they produce, then I don't see a big problem.

But after years of serving their own eggs, the provincial Department of Health has told them they have to stop. The department said it's a long-standing policy that food service operations can only use federally inspected eggs.

The idea of having to buy eggs from the supermarket, rather than use their own from the 75 hens in the coop out back, was too much for the Offers. They will operate this season, and then close the business down.

"When the Department of Health came around and said, 'No, you're not allowed to use your own eggs, you have to use store bought ones, or inspected ones,' we just turned around," said Paul Offer.

Well we have seen what happens to federally inspected foods. The listeria at the Maple Leafs meat plant is a good example of how federal regulations/inspections can fail. Every major grocer has their own recall system, and they work better than most federal regulations, because there are many recalls the public never hears about, because the industry is able to monitor itself for the most part to prevent tainted foods from entering the market.

If those businesses waited for a federal mandate/inspection, then you'd see a lot more problems with the food you buy.

But back to the article. If you grow your own food, and serve it to yourself or your family, then there seems to be no big deal. If you are growing it and feeding it to your customers, as do many bed and breakfasts, then there is a problem.

On a bike trip a couple years ago, me and a pal stayed at this awesome bed and breakfast in Quebec. The lady was an awesome cook/chef/baker, and her hubby was an incredible host. Simply one of the best meals (and the breakfast the next day was just as incredible) I've had in my life. Unforgettable really.

She grew her own vegetables in a fairly large garden behind the house. She was up bright and early digging in the garden to get some ingredients for the breakfast we had. When people grow their own food, they seem to have a vested interest in making sure their produce and other foods are of top quality.

I recall my grandfather out at the cottage had a huge garden. Corn, different types of lettuce, carrots, other fruits and vegetables. And we never got sick. Also it saved us a lot of money. It does take some effort and time, but it seems to be worth it. We never had to bring as much food out to the cottage because of the awesome garden that my grandfather had. If I ever wanted a snack, all I had to do was go digging in the garden for a few carrots, or other items. Washed and cleaned them and ate them right there.

So, do some regulations go to far? Or are they not going far enough? Can people 'police' themselves in a way to give their clients quality foods that in some cases are better than the federally mandated and inspected foods?

[Shakeyhands]

Do you recall the name of the B&B in Quebec?

[GostHacked]

Do you recall the name of the B&B in Quebec?

It's along the Petite Train Du Nord route. 200kms of decommissioned rail lines to make a nice long bike path. Great scenery, we managed to do it in 3 days, although I would suggest 4 days, to take it all in.

http://www.canadatrails.ca/tct/qc/ptittrain.html

La Provincial Art in Nominingue, Quebec.

http://www.provincialart.ca/PhotosEng.htm

[guyser]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/03/18/pei-free-range-egg-ban-584.html

Now I am all for quality of food and food inspections, but if this place has had the reputation and been in business that long, and eat their own food that they produce, then I don't see a big problem.

Agree but this may have come about because of all the eggs found in markets here in TO that were being sold with feces and toher stuff on them.

Well we have seen what happens to federally inspected foods. The listeria at the Maple Leafs meat plant is a good example of how federal regulations/inspections can fail. Every major grocer has their own recall system, and they work better than most federal regulations, because there are many recalls the public never hears about, because the industry is able to monitor itself for the most part to prevent tainted foods from entering the market.

If those businesses waited for a federal mandate/inspection, then you'd see a lot more problems with the food you buy.

But back to the article. If you grow your own food, and serve it to yourself or your family, then there seems to be no big deal. If you are growing it and feeding it to your customers, as do many bed and breakfasts, then there is a problem.

That stuff is not federally regulated.

[GostHacked]

Agree but this may have come about because of all the eggs found in markets here in TO that were being sold with feces and other stuff on them.

You've seen some of those documentaries about these large chicken farms where the chickens can barely stand on their feet? Living in their own feces? These are federally inspected as well. What gives? There is an allowable amount of mouse/rat feces in some products we eat.

Also if it is good enough to feed your family with, it should be good enough to feed other people with. I mean you'd make sure the food is of quality if you are planning on eating it yourself right?

Edited March 18, 2011 by GostHacked

[guyser]

You've seen some of those documentaries about these large chicken farms where the chickens can barely stand on their feet? Living in their own feces? These are federally inspected as well. What gives? There is an allowable amount of mouse/rat feces in some products we eat.

Seen 'em ...yup

All of them are washed off and cleaned before packaging.

Also if it is good enough to feed your family with, it should be good enough to feed other people with. I mean you'd make sure the food is of quality if you are planning on eating it yourself right?

True, but your family cannot sue itself when sick.

Liability is the key here.

[scouterjim]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/offbeat/story/2011/03/18/pei-free-range-egg-ban-584.html

Now I am all for quality of food and food inspections, but if this place has had the reputation and been in business that long, and eat their own food that they produce, then I don't see a big problem.

Well we have seen what happens to federally inspected foods. The listeria at the Maple Leafs meat plant is a good example of how federal regulations/inspections can fail. Every major grocer has their own recall system, and they work better than most federal regulations, because there are many recalls the public never hears about, because the industry is able to monitor itself for the most part to prevent tainted foods from entering the market.

If those businesses waited for a federal mandate/inspection, then you'd see a lot more problems with the food you buy.

But back to the article. If you grow your own food, and serve it to yourself or your family, then there seems to be no big deal. If you are growing it and feeding it to your customers, as do many bed and breakfasts, then there is a problem.

On a bike trip a couple years ago, me and a pal stayed at this awesome bed and breakfast in Quebec. The lady was an awesome cook/chef/baker, and her hubby was an incredible host. Simply one of the best meals (and the breakfast the next day was just as incredible) I've had in my life. Unforgettable really.

She grew her own vegetables in a fairly large garden behind the house. She was up bright and early digging in the garden to get some ingredients for the breakfast we had. When people grow their own food, they seem to have a vested interest in making sure their produce and other foods are of top quality.

I recall my grandfather out at the cottage had a huge garden. Corn, different types of lettuce, carrots, other fruits and vegetables. And we never got sick. Also it saved us a lot of money. It does take some effort and time, but it seems to be worth it. We never had to bring as much food out to the cottage because of the awesome garden that my grandfather had. If I ever wanted a snack, all I had to do was go digging in the garden for a few carrots, or other items. Washed and cleaned them and ate them right there.

So, do some regulations go to far? Or are they not going far enough? Can people 'police' themselves in a way to give their clients quality foods that in some cases are better than the federally mandated and inspected foods?

Sounds like the Egg Marketing Board has gotten their sticky fingers into things.

[guyser]

Sounds like the Egg Marketing Board has gotten their sticky fingers into things.

...and I was about to edit and add thast very thought.

No doubt they did.

[Molly]

Yikes. I'm no stranger to home-grown food, but there's no way I'd touch uninspected meats, poultry and dairy products unless I knew the folks who raised 'em like I know my own family. Even then, there is plenty of stuff folks would feed to their own families that I still wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

[Mr.Canada]

Yikes. I'm no stranger to home-grown food, but there's no way I'd touch uninspected meats, poultry and dairy products unless I knew the folks who raised 'em like I know my own family. Even then, there is plenty of stuff folks would feed to their own families that I still wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole.

No ones forcing you to eat or consume anything. I don't see a problem with offering a choice when it comes to food. Very soon it's very possible that the food system as we know it will come to an end and people will be forced to grow/raise their own food.

GH, I couldn't agree with you more on this issue. People who grow their own care about the way that it's raised and grown much more then a commercial agri business does. They only care about getting a bigger harvest. Once you try what a naturally grown vegetable tastes like whats on offer at the supermarket just seems so bland by comparison. Gardening is one of my passions.

Edited March 19, 2011 by Mr.Canada