Costa Rica Continues Its Food Woes

      Food safety, or rather lack of it, is serious business in Costa Rica these days.  Popular and long-trusted establishments like McDonalds, Taco Bell, and Cafe Mundo, along with other smaller eateries were recently closed temporarily to rectify their expired or missing permits and certifications, poor waste management, sanitation violations, food surface contamination, refrigeration issues, and even one case of poisoning.  Lack of training for the staff also appeared to be high on the list of violations. One report from Henriette Jacobsen at TheCostaRicaNews.com indicates that about 15-30 restaurants per month have had to close their doors until corrections can be made and approved. 

Cafe Mundo: thecostaricanews.com

      The ministries of Health, Agriculture & Livestock and Economics & Commerce are all working diligently together to improve the food quality and safety.   According to a report by Dan Flynn of Food Safety News, the ministerio de Salud (Health ministry) began a restaurant inspection campaign on May 12, 2011 to look for violations of the health code or missing operating permits.

    The current regulations require that restaurant employees pass a thorough food handling class given by the National Training Institute.  In addition to this, there are guidelines set out in the National Policy for Food Security and Nutrition 2011-2012 that outline food handling, storage, disposal and nutritional standards for restaurants and other food service establishments.  The Ministry of health said they would continue to improve these guidelines over the coming years.

     First Lady Obama would be happy to hear that Costa Rica Minister of Health, María Luisa Ávila, made a public statement that in addition to better food handling monitoring, she would consider a law in her country that prohibited the use of trans fats and requires food handlers to use vegetable oil once per preparation (not re-used). She is also standing up against having soda and other high sugar or fat content products in schools.  Her public support of educating the people to make better nutritional choices for themselves and their families was bold, but encouraging to those around the world who are trying to educate people about the serious hazards of overly processed, high-sugar, empty-calorie foods. 

     Costa Rica is nestled at the heart of South America and enjoys a reputation as a premier vacation spot due to its lush natural setting of rain forests, incredible sea life, mesmerizing aquatic ecosystems and beautiful white sandy beaches.  Past hiking, exploring, kayaking and zip-lining through the deep green terrain, surfers, snorkelers and fishermen find it an ideal location.  

Photo: : Myhungrytum.com

      Until they can get their now soiled reputation for neglectful and unsanitary tourist-focused eateries under control again, it might be better to pack some granola bars in your suitcase. Or better yet, do what most Costa Rican people do.  They purchase their casados (meal of the day) at the so-called local "sodas" (food stand) which is much more transparent, affordable and familiar.