Unhygienic practices when buying bread

A couple of weeks ago, the European Health Directorate called for anyone who witnesses any products such as milk and bread left on doorsteps of closed shops to report such happenings.

Such initiatives should be applauded.

However, other shortcomings which may have more serious consequences than leaving milk on a doorstep cannot be ignored.

Buying bread from most confectioneries and mini- or super-markets could be most unhygienic, for various reasons.

First of all, most shops leave bread in crates, totally exposed. They are and not covered up to protect from insects, which carry quite a number of hazardous diseases.

Secondly, and most unfortunately, many customers have the habit of feeling every piece of bread with their bare hands until they decide which one to buy.

Without going into the merits of whatever it is that they touched with their hands before doing so, it is very frustrating to consume bread that has been touched by many people, not to mention the fact that it has been exposed to insects and flies, especially for those who place hygiene as a priority. Consequently, I appeal to the Environmental Health Directorate to act on this issue.

Customers should be prohibited from touching any bread that they will not buy, while bread-sellers should be obliged to cover bread-crates at all times.