LIHU‘E — More than a year apparently wasn’t enough time to catch an obvious mismatch: Paper and gravy. A new law banning checkout plastic bags went into effect three weeks ago, but many food service establishments are allegedly already complaining
LIHU‘E — More than a year apparently wasn’t enough time to catch an obvious mismatch: Paper and gravy.
A new law banning checkout plastic bags went into effect three weeks ago, but many food service establishments are allegedly already complaining of food breaking through paper bags and possible contamination.
“The brown paper bags were not designed for holding these food items,” said Councilman Dickie Chang, explaining that when food spills from a to-go container, it causes the bags to break. “It can’t even hold an apple.”
Ordinance 885 was adopted in October 2009, and went into effect Jan. 11. Councilman Mel Rapozo said he intends to address some of the issues by introducing an amendment to the bill.
“It’s going to exempt the food service establishments from the bill,” Rapozo said.
Rapozo’s main concern was with food-safety issues, despite also pointing out that the bags rip shortly after contact with food.
“I received a few calls from some of the restaurants that were concerned about food safety,” said Rapozo, noting that there’s a growing concern that food-borne bacteria could transfer to food from reusable bags that customers bring in.
As a result, he said, the establishment could end up with the blame in a case of food-poisoning.
“The purpose really is the food-safety issue, not so much the paper issue. It’s the fact that they are concerned about the transfer of food-borne bacteria,” Rapozo said.
Chang said that when the bill was crafted, the food-safety issue never made it to the discussion.
“If people don’t mention stuff to us, we don’t know,” said Chang, adding that the thinks the reason is that most people involved in the food-service industry “did not realize the bill pertained to them, that’s the kind of feedback that I’m getting from the public.”
Councilman Tim Bynum, who co-authored the original bill with then-Councilwoman Lani Kawahara, said there were no food-service concerns when the bill was discussed.
Bynum said he doesn’t feel there’s a need for an amendment, but he is in support of council members introducing amendments whenever they wish.
“I’m willing to work into anything,” he said.
Rapozo said the amendment will likely be introduced on the agenda of the Feb. 9 County Council meeting.
