Huntsman ends proposal limiting food sales

Charles Easterberg, University sanitarian, recently proposed a revision to the administration's policy for food-service standards that would prohibit the sale of food on campus for fund-raising purposes.

According to interim UW President Lee Huntsman, the University will not make the proposal a part of its policy.

"This will not happen," Huntsman said to the ASUW Board of Directors late last week.

Huntsman told the board the proposal was the work of "one very zealous employee."

In the proposal, for temporary food-service events, a permit must be acquired, and "because of the liability inherent in providing food to the public, sale of food for fund-raising purposes is prohibited," Easterberg wrote.

Several student groups that rely on food sales for funding objected to the proposal, which was drafted earlier this year.

"People don't understand that this is just a draft, simply something to chew on," Easterberg said. After receiving several concerns, Easterberg said the draft "will probably go through two or three more revisions before it is finalized."

There has been "a considerable increase in the last few years in the amount of food that is being offered to the public," Easterberg said. As more student groups offer food, he said, it becomes more difficult to control food distribution.

Easterberg said his main concern with the increase in food sales is that there is a greater chance of mishandling food or serving unsafe food.

"I think that the consumer has the right to expect safe food when it is being offered to them," he said, adding he was very concerned with the increase in barbecues on campus.

"Barbecues cause seasonal peaks in salmonella and food-borne diseases every summer," he said.

Even with his concerns, Easterberg said his proposal allows food sales for fund-raising within limits.

"Unrestricted fund-raising isn't a good idea because it's not possible to adequately protect the consumer that way," he said.

Ultimately, Easterberg wants to "allow students to do as much as possible" and be able to "assure a maximum amount of public safety for the consumer.

"Students need to be able to sell food to make money," said Easterberg. "But I need to ensure the safety of the consumers."