Health authorities have responded to criticism regarding a law that forbids the sale of baked goods made in a private home by offering a solution of their own.
As our readers are undoubtedly aware, the Eyjafjörður Women’s Association was told not to hold a bake sale to raise money for charity, as to do so would be against the law. This is in line with European health regulations, authorities said. The association’s director, Sigurveig Bergsteinsdóttir, expressed surprise at this, saying that they had sold cakes and pastries for years without incident.
The matter was also apparently important enough for conservative MP Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson to use it to score political points against joining the EU, saying, “Why is the EU getting involved in cake baking in Iceland? This, to me, is a sign that the EU is lost. What’s next, a health inspector in every home?”
It appears now that a solution may have been found.
Vísir spoke to Alfreð Schiöth, director of the Health Supervisory Authority of Northeast Iceland, who said, “It is not true that we forbade bake sales. However, food production must be conducted in an approved kitchen.”
To this end, he recommends that those wanting to hold bake sales for charity do the actual baking in the kitchen of a local school, community centre, or any other kitchen that has been checked and approved by a health inspector.
Guðlaugur Þór has not yet responded to this turn of events.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
