Dear Sun Spots: I enjoy reading your column and have learned interesting facts and information from you.

We are reading so much about precautions regarding spreading germs.
Wash, wash and wash your hands again, so we do not spread the flu
virus. I am interested in knowing why food handlers in Lewiston and
Auburn do not wear disposable gloves while preparing food?

I was in a sandwich shop in Auburn today and watched the young women
prepare sandwiches without wearing anything or even washing as they
answered the phone. I canceled my order.

Is there any law that requires covering their hands? If not,
shouldn’t the health department be more diligent in having signs posted
in these shops?
Thanks in advance for checking into this.— No Name, Auburn

Answer: Tsk, tsk. Those young woman were indeed breaking the rules. Lisa Brown, director of health inspection, said those employees should have washed their hands immediately before preparing any food. They also should not have used their bare hands. The Maine Food Code states that: “Employees should not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and should use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or dispensing equipment.”

While single-use (disposable) gloves are not specifically or currently required (there is an effort under way to change that), they are recommended.  And if gloves aren’t used, the employee must use a barrier, something such as a utensil or deli tissue to touch any ready-to-eat food (like the ingredients for your sandwich).

The rules also require employers to provide sinks for hand washing in convenient locations near each food preparation area. They also must put up signs that announce the requirement for employee hand washing after using the restroom.

Brown encourages you to call her office at 287-5671 with the name of the offending shop. They will send an inspector out to check and make sure that the restaurant is following all regulations.

If you’d like to read more about the state food codes, visit http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/rules/10/144/144c200.doc. There they have all the requirements on food preparation, including when, where and how often food handlers should wash their hands.

Dear Sun Spots: When cleaning out my mother’s home, I came across several Rebekah Lodge items
that I would like to give to a lodge in the area. Some are glass,
and there are a few graveside markers with the Rebekah emblem that can
also hold a small flag. My telephone number is 645-4314. Thank
you. — Sharon Jacques, Wilton

Dear Sun Spots: My request for the game So You Think You Know
Maine was published in Friday’s edition (Sept. 4). The response was phenomenal. Every individual who called to say they had the game and were willing to part with it
did not want to sell it to me; they wanted to donate it for the teacher searching for this game.
All were so pleasant and kind and more than willing to work on meeting
up to hand over the game.
It is so nice to know there are still some wonderful people out there
willing to help. To every individual who responded to my request, a
very warm, heartfelt thank-you for your generosity. — Steve Martin

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and
comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and
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them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries
can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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