Meal appeal

30.jun.06
Prince George Citizen
Dave Paulson
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/news/current/n_empty.php?sid=1229109

The Northern Health Authority in British Columbia, almost contaminated a small town's Canada Day tradition.

The story says that in an Orwellian move that smacks of Big Brother, the NHA put a stop to the annual July 1 community picnic in Fort St. James because of concerns about the townsfolk's food preparation.

Never mind the fact the community has held its Canada Day potluck dinner without incident for the past 15 years, when Northern Health caught wind of this year's event, the bureaucratic machinery kicked in.

Food intended for public consumption must be prepared only by those who have a Food Safe certificate or in an approved facility, Northern Health told the town.

Apparently Grandma's kitchen just doesn't cut it.

As a result, town council cancelled the dinner.

To quell the disappointment that was sweeping the community, Fort St. James received the NHA's blessing by asking those attending to prepare meals that will be eaten only by members of their family.

Northern Health is satisfied because it says preparing smaller quantities of food is much safer than meals that can feed an army or, in this case, a village.