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| Britain |
| EU bans Peking Duck: council snoopers to shut down restaurant ovens in Chinatown |
| 2008-07-20 |
| It is the nation's favourite Chinese dish – adored by millions and a staple feature on the menus of restaurants and takeaways the length and breadth of Britain. But Peking Duck could now be forced into extinction by an EU ban on the ovens traditionally used to prepare it. Council inspectors have been busily visiting restaurants that use the ovens and sealing them closed with tape because they do not carry a CE (Conformité Européenne) mark certifying that the equipment meets safety standards on carbon-monoxide emissions laid down by Brussels. Ten restaurants in London – including some in the famous Chinatown district – have so far been affected and scores more in the capital will be hit in coming weeks. Other councils around Britain are also being urged to take similar action. The clampdown comes despite an admission by council officials that there have been no reported health problems linked to the ovens, which are made in China and are also used to cook Cantonese Duck and suckling pig. The ovens have been shut down by Westminster Council. The crackdown was launched after an official noticed the ovens were not CE marked during a routine inspection of Chinese restaurants in May. Westminster has now contacted other councils in areas with large Chinese populations to raise the issue. A council spokesman said: 'If the restaurants want to continue cooking ducks in the traditional manner they will need to get new ovens which will comply with EU standards by having CE marking. 'We are absolutely not picking on the Chinese community. This is an issue with any kind of ethnic type of food where they may well be using catering equipment imported from outside the EU. 'We are not aware of a single injury or accident involving these duck ovens but now we are aware of this issue we want to prevent any accidents happening.' In 2006, Westminster confiscated burners used on tables at Korean restaurants because they did not meet European safety standards. |
| Posted by:Pappy |
| #10 I'm in Estonia. I better find some duck fast before this is translated. *facepalm* |
| Posted by: Mizzou Mafia 2008-07-20 22:45 |
| #9 "This is an issue with any kind of ethnic type of food where they may well be using catering equipment imported from outside the EU" Which wasn't made by EU companies paying EU taxes. Income stream security, as a religion. |
| Posted by: no mo uro 2008-07-20 17:16 |
| #8 It's the same old EU bureaufascism. Those idiots think that if they are poached rather than fried in statist totalitarianism, it's all golden. CF the Nameless One. |
| Posted by: ebrown2 2008-07-20 14:35 |
| #7 If any form of pleasure is exhibited, Report to me and it will be prohibited! The last man nearly ruined this place he didn't know what to do with it. If you think this country's bad off now, just wait till I get through with it! The country's taxes must be fixed, and I know what to do with it. If you think you're paying too much now, just wait till I get through with it! "Gentlemen, the European Union regulators here may talk like idiots, and look like idiots, but don't let that fool you: they really are idiots." |
| Posted by: Mike 2008-07-20 12:36 |
| #6 Calling it the Holy Roman Empire works; remember, it was neither Roman, Holy, nor an Empire. |
| Posted by: Abdominal Snowman 2008-07-20 12:30 |
| #5 . "Remember, we're fighting for this woman's Honor, which is probably more than She ever did". Um..... ^^^^^^^^^that, and you'll damn well be pleased with it. |
| Posted by: .5MT 2008-07-20 12:11 |
| #4 They should change the name to Holy Roman European Union, except they reject Christianity and have a rotating presidency. The Secular Rotating European Union? |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2008-07-20 10:13 |
| #3 It's true to form, Deacon: the Euros invented statism, and they've always been more comfortable with that kind of goverance. The democratic anarchy of the United States gives them the heebie-jeebies. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-07-20 10:12 |
| #2 Try Duck Soup instead. "Remember, we're fighting for this woman's Honor, which is probably more than She ever did". The EU is seriously devolving into a Dictatorship. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2008-07-20 09:52 |
| #1 Sorry, duck's off! |
| Posted by: Basil F 2008-07-20 07:34 |