The July 20 letter titled “Taste hygiene” prompted me to share my experience.
I had a wonderful time at this year’s Taste of Chicago. Upon leaving the festival, though, I couldn’t help but notice the hundreds of portable toilets and the apparent lack of hand-washing stations. When a hand-washing station was finally found, it was sure to be emptied of all water.
On July 16 I was diagnosed as having Hepatitis A. After learning of how the virus is transmitted (I’ll spare you the disgusting details), my search for the elusive hand-washing stations flashed before my eyes. Although it is very difficult to accurately pinpoint where I contracted the virus, I can say that it is highly probably that I received it from the Taste.
I will soon recover from this illness, but the possible long-term effects will linger the rest of my life. Needless to say, I will never visit the Taste of Chicago again. If there is one favor that I could ask of all restaurant workers, it is please wash your hands before preparing or serving food to others.
