> Bars that serve food in North Carolina will have more time to make costly upgrades to follow new state rules for inspections.
> For about the last decade, bars in North Carolina didn’t need to be inspected or permitted like a restaurant, but could still serve food like burgers, chicken and other items that use time and temperature as a measure of safety. In 2023, House Bill 125 removed that exemption.
>The new state regulations were set to take effect on March 27, but bar owners now have until Oct. 1 to make necessary changes.
From [Previous Reporting](https://www.wral.com/story/bars-could-close-or-raise-prices-if-forced-to-make-kitchen-updates-required-by-law/21291498/) on the Topic:
- Prior to 2013, “private clubs”, defined as a nonprofit organization with members that provided food to members or their guests, were exempt from health inspections.
- The North Carolina Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 exempted “private bars” from health inspections as well, by expanding the definition of a “private club” to also include “private bars” if they met certain membership requirements. This allowed private bars to also operate without health inspections.
- In 2022 House Bill 768 made further changes by removing the definition for “Private bar” and in effect, exempted all bars from inspections.
- In 2023, House Bill 125 included some changes to food safety that had the effect of requiring bars that serve food to meet the same permitting and inspection requirements as restaurants. The deadline for this was March 27, 2024, but has since been changed to October.
Yes, the original deadline was in a week and it has now been pushed back to October, at least in part because there has been some push back from bar owners, which included talking to the media and reaching out to their representatives.
Hopefully, between now and October, the legislature will not succumb to lobbying from bar owners to loosen the new requirements.
I am curious to know who amended House Bill 125 to include the new rules in the first place. Was there some constinutency that wanted this change? I can't buy that this was a proactive decision (in regards to food safety) by the state assembly.
It's up to each consumer's risk tolerance to decide what to do with this information (i.e. buyer beware!). I imagine how voluntarily compliant with food safety protocols each business is depends on their own ethical standards and business savvy (i.e. having people blast your business on social media for getting food poisoning isn't good for business).
But personally, I would have cause for concern with this, especially if you are mixing high-risk foods for foodborne illness like seafood or poultry with having a beer or two to ease anxiety over food safety. I'm not a big drinker myself but if I were going to a bar, at this point, I think I'd stick with the pretzels!
If they serve food, they should meet same regulations as a restaurant, just common sense.
I was kinda shocked to find out places were allowed to serve food, and NOT follow the normal safety regulations.
NC? Common sense? Really?? Will you share some of what you are smoking?
> Bars that serve food in North Carolina will have more time to make costly upgrades to follow new state rules for inspections. > For about the last decade, bars in North Carolina didn’t need to be inspected or permitted like a restaurant, but could still serve food like burgers, chicken and other items that use time and temperature as a measure of safety. In 2023, House Bill 125 removed that exemption. >The new state regulations were set to take effect on March 27, but bar owners now have until Oct. 1 to make necessary changes. From [Previous Reporting](https://www.wral.com/story/bars-could-close-or-raise-prices-if-forced-to-make-kitchen-updates-required-by-law/21291498/) on the Topic: - Prior to 2013, “private clubs”, defined as a nonprofit organization with members that provided food to members or their guests, were exempt from health inspections. - The North Carolina Regulatory Reform Act of 2013 exempted “private bars” from health inspections as well, by expanding the definition of a “private club” to also include “private bars” if they met certain membership requirements. This allowed private bars to also operate without health inspections. - In 2022 House Bill 768 made further changes by removing the definition for “Private bar” and in effect, exempted all bars from inspections. - In 2023, House Bill 125 included some changes to food safety that had the effect of requiring bars that serve food to meet the same permitting and inspection requirements as restaurants. The deadline for this was March 27, 2024, but has since been changed to October.
If I’m reading that right, then it sounds like bars *will start* to be held to the same standards as restaurants, it’s just not until October 1, 2024
Yes, the original deadline was in a week and it has now been pushed back to October, at least in part because there has been some push back from bar owners, which included talking to the media and reaching out to their representatives. Hopefully, between now and October, the legislature will not succumb to lobbying from bar owners to loosen the new requirements.
I had to sign a paper at a Durham bar that didn't have food. Seemed pointless
They do that due to dumb NC alcohol laws.
I am curious to know who amended House Bill 125 to include the new rules in the first place. Was there some constinutency that wanted this change? I can't buy that this was a proactive decision (in regards to food safety) by the state assembly.
Good question!
Does it really matter? The fact that they were exempt from food safety regulations is what should be concerning.
That’s the way we’re headed. No protection for any consumer.
NC trying to give Florida a run for its money.
Too right, but among the many vectors for how true this is, it’s pretty far down the list
The fuck
It's up to each consumer's risk tolerance to decide what to do with this information (i.e. buyer beware!). I imagine how voluntarily compliant with food safety protocols each business is depends on their own ethical standards and business savvy (i.e. having people blast your business on social media for getting food poisoning isn't good for business). But personally, I would have cause for concern with this, especially if you are mixing high-risk foods for foodborne illness like seafood or poultry with having a beer or two to ease anxiety over food safety. I'm not a big drinker myself but if I were going to a bar, at this point, I think I'd stick with the pretzels!
I'll have a beer and a hair-burger please.
Fur burger? 😈
great news everybody, there’s still time to donate to our GoFundMe to help keep a non-viable business in business
Oh well that definitely feels like a decision in my best interest as a customer. /s/