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The funny part about this photo is that it was taken after we informed you about the pretzels being sold in an uncovered state. As you will recall, that article comes with pictures of the pretzels uncovered and let out where birds can poop on them and bugs can land on them. Well, after we brought public attention to the pretzels not being covered, they put paper sleeves on them. OUFSC 3717-1-03.2
“(U) Food display - preventing contamination by consumers.
Except for nuts in the shell and whole, raw fruits and vegetables that are intended or hulling, peeling, or washing by the consumer before consumption, food on displayhall be protected from contamination by the use of packaging; counter, service line,r salad bar food guards; display cases; or other effective means.” This picture was sent to us with the claim that the cookie lady was replaced and that this is the new cookie seller. Notice the food service folk at the Ohio Renaissance Festival were not bright enough to figure out that if the pretzels had to be covered; so do the cookies. Previously, these were sold by a woman everyone called the Cookie Lady who walked around with a basket of baked goods for sale. We now have a report from a couple living in Michigan who state that not only are these cookies not individually wrapped (see picture), they were left uncovered as she walked the streets of ORF last year. Evidently some things never change. We are also informed the woman used no gloves or tongs to hand these cookies to customers. Either the customer reaches in with their hand or she does. It looks like maybe this year the person selling the cookies uses napkins to handle the cookies. Well, probably when people are watching. OUFSC 3717-1-03.2
“(2) Except when washing fruits and vegetables as specified under paragraph (G)
of this rule or as specified in paragraph (A)(3) of this rule, food employees
may not contact exposed, ready-to-eat food with their bare hands and shall
use suitable utensils such as deli tissue, spatulas, tongs, single-use gloves, or
dispensing equipment.” Besides being uncovered, unwrapped, and according to reports handled by hand; I wonder where it is that those cookies come from. It is my understanding, the Ohio Renaissance Festival purchases them from Cisco Foods and then resells them to the Cookie Lady or who ever is walking around with the things. I do not believe Cisco Foods has intended this product to be sold in this way. Generally speaking, when ever I see a 3rd party sale of baked goods, the goods are individually wrapped and come with proper label. When you see a display of goods like bagels in the grocery store bakery, they are the people making the product. When you see it in a gas station, it is a second party. If these individual cookies are packaged properly, when does a baked good need a label? Heck, why do we have label laws what so ever?
In the end, it doesn’t really matter as food must be covered. Interestingly enough, this is not the first time we have heard about this “cookie lady”. Cheryl Bales, who is ORF Inc. VP/Marketing Director, has spoken rather negatively about the Cookie Lady and even her daughter, basically calling them rumor mongers.
“I know exactly who said that b/c they've been caught saying it nearly word for word to other folks. I will tell you - It is the cookie lady and her daughter and we are getting very angry with them b/c they have been
specifically asked to stop spreading such things by a few of us on staff.” – Cheryl Bales
Well, I do not know if the Cookie lady and her daughters are there this season. I hope for their sake they have moved on because with the way Cheryl Bales indicated the office staff thinks about both she and her daughter, I am willing to bet any health code violation will be blamed on her. If that should happen, please get a hold of me cookie lady as I am in contact with at least one other merchant who has clearly stated she was told by Ohio Renaissance Members that she did not have to adhere to modern health and food code.
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