Top 5 Disgusting Buffet Facts
Your local “All-You-Can-Eat” restaurant just got a lot less appetizing. Welcome to WatchMojo's Top 5 Facts. In today's instalment we're counting down the Top 5 Disgusting Buffet Facts.
Come along as we explore some of the less than savory details surrounding this unique approach to dining.
Special thanks to our user Ashjbow for submitting the idea on our interactive suggestion tool: WatchMojo.comsuggest
#5: Sneeze Guards Are Designed for Adults, Not Kids
Sneeze guards are one of those inventions that, while absolutely essential, come with the unfortunate burden of reminding us why we need them in the first place. Large quantities of food, left out in the open to be handled by countless individuals, are particularly vulnerable to all manner of contamination. Thankfully, sneeze guards are, perfectly angled to protect those communal serving trays from germ-laden snot rockets should a passing client sneeze. Here’s the thing though… children, with their shorter stature, pass right under most sneeze guards, meaning that one well-aimed sneeze or cough is enough to coat whole dishes in who knows what.
#4: The Tongs Don’t Get Enough Attention
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Though buffets are subject to standard restaurant regulations, sadly… the cleanliness of serving utensils largely goes unchecked. Hopefully the tongs and spoons get removed and washed at least once a day, but you really never know - it could have been days, weeks or months since they last got sanitized. Then there’s the treatment they receive at the hands of clients. Hundreds of people handle the same tongs, and then just leave them lying on the food. They often get used for multiple dishes, increasing the likelihood of cross-contamination. Who knows, somebody could very well have dropped them at some point.
#3: You Can Allegedly Find Defibrillators in Many Buffets
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In all fairness, it’s actually nice to see restaurants going the extra mile with their emergency preparedness. If you have a major heart attack while eating, we can’t help but imagine that you’ll be extremely grateful should an on-site defibrillator wind up making the difference between life and death. Though Automated External Defibrillators, or AEDs for short, are mandatory in schools and health clubs in many states, the same regulations have yet to be applied to restaurants - some are just doing it of their own volition. The disconcerting thing however… is that buffets generally seem to be acquiring them more so than other types of establishment. What does that say about buffet-style eating?
#2: Temperature Issues
When’s the last time you had a meal at a buffet that you could legitimately call “hot”. Those heat lamps and trays keep the dishes warm - but warm isn’t the most sanitary of temperatures - especially when it comes to food that’s being left out for who knows how long. The FDA clearly states that hot food “should be kept at an internal temperature of 140 degrees Fahrenheit or warmer” - any cooler and it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. The problem is, too many buffets blindly trust their serving devices to maintain a safe heat, and when put to the test, the food temperature actually gets a failing grade.
#1: There’s a High Risk of Food Poisoning
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Food poisoning... is awful. Unfortunately, most of us will experience it at least once, but there are precautions we can take to minimize the risk. Avoiding buffets, particularly buffets of ill-repute, is one such strategy. It’s been estimated that between 1 in 4 and 1 in 6 Americans catch a foodborne illness yearly - with 60% of cases attributed to sit-down restaurants. For all the aforementioned reasons, buffets are in many ways a perfect storm of food poisoning possibilities. The clients work as a revolving door of possible germs, while questionable sanitation practices, temperatures and age of the food all work together to increase the odds of spoilage. So eat responsibly!
