[PennBF]

In the past I have used the "soup" section of Publix at Wedgewood and they have been good. Today we were at Publix in Spanish Springs and I went to the Soup bar to buy one of the soups. As I stood there, there were 3 workers and two put some soup in a container, drank it put the scoop back in and put some more soup in a container and again drank from it and finally using the same scoop that had been in the portions that he had drank from scooped some more out. A Publix manager was standing next to the bar, watched what was going on and said nothing. I finally told the one person they were contamanating the soup and the thing used to scoop and he said something, (he was allegedly Mexican and speaking Spanish) so I could not understand what he was saying. The key points of this are: The soup bar being open to the public is obviously unsanitary, the Manager was not saying anything and when I asked her why the store allowed this she said it was Company policy and she could do nothing. They could put it behind the counter. It was like when we were young and all drank out of the cup by the barn. Message: Don't count on the soup bar being safe/sanitary.

[graciegirl]

...

[claricecolin]

I don't think any "open" food bar/buffet is really safe. If there is something in a soup, salad,seafood or olive bar I want; I get it and try not to think about it. If I saw what you saw happened I would have told the manger and expected their reaction to be about the same you experienced. That would have probably also put me off getting anything that day but chances are I would be back in a day or two.

[PennBF]

I don't think I would go back for the soup bar. It is like an open invitation for people to have free food and the other person takes the risk. I did let one of the Managers know and she blew me off and ignored what was happening. There are significant health risks when something like this is open to everyone and whatever they may carry is your risk. Did not even address that they were "drinking the soup" without paying and it didn't seem like anyone cared. No more Publix soup bar !! Wonder if this is in violation of the Dept of Health rules?

[rubicon]

PennBF I'll make book it is a violation

[rosygail]

I think you should report what you saw to the health department. We don't want to have something spread around among us old folks!

[PennBF]

Your right and I will probably end up reporting it to the Sumter Health Dept or the Lady Lake. It would be terrible for people to get sick or ill because of this bad santitation. The solution is simple,,Just put the containers behind the counter and have the soup served at the Sandwich counter. But the manager at Publix in Spanish Springs said it is a company policy not to do that. Just to add a.."by the way".

[rubicon]

Flu season is here time is essential

[missypie]

While in the Winn Dixie in Pinellas, a woman was making a salad at the salad bar there. Now mind you, I know that there is a sneeze guard but, she sneezed massively and just continued on. No turning around, no elbow guard, nothing, and friends wonder why I don't like food bars.....

[onslowe]

Exactly. I won't use them anywhere. What makes sense to a business economically doesn't always translate into good sanitary policy. Even if that disgraceful behavior at Publix SS did not occur, still, not all of us care about basics.

[billybye]

E mail Publix headquarters with a complaint and I am sure they will change "policy"

[Chatbrat]

This is not just a Publix problem, I seen grazers in Fresh Market, tasting every thing with their bare hands. For you own good stay away from any unsealed salads, olives, nuts, etc. Lots of people look at these items as a free lunch !!!

[PennBF]

Rubicon, your observation regarding this is Flu season is something I did not consider but obviously it is a great point. What a good way to get the flu !!
Thanks for the thought.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by PennBF

Rubicon, your observation regarding this is Flu season is something I did not consider but obviously it is a great point. What a good way to get the flu !!

Thanks for the thought.

The only buffet I graze from is one I put together for my wife and me.

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by PennBF

Rubicon, your observation regarding this is Flu season is something I did not consider but obviously it is a great point. What a good way to get the flu !!
Thanks for the thought.

Might be a good idea to get a flu shot!