Just say no! to refrigeration of fresh rice noodles

[justagthing]

Article that is linked below is of chow interest. They want all of the fresh rice noodles refrigerated now. This just doesn't work.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-...

Mods, sorry if this is the incorrect board, but it is of interest to all of California.

[LATrapp]

To all those Chowheads with either a culinary or legal background....What is the compromise?? There might very well have to be one.

Is there even an option to try and reach one or is it a black and white legal issue?

I think the argument of fresh rice noodles being superior unrefrigerated is easily won on this board. So what are the next steps?

[justagthing]

Great question, that is why I posted, to generate interest. But, alas, I do not know how to start. Anyone that has any suggestions, they are welcome.

[Melanie Wong]

In California, special exemptions have been passed for Chinese roast ducks and Korean rice cakes. I would suspect that something similar could be worked out for noodles. Talk to your state representatives. Here's the code on Korean rice cakes:

113995.5. (a) Notwithstanding Sections 113995 and 114315 and if
permitted by federal law, a food establishment may sell Korean rice
cakes that have been at room temperature for no more than 24 hours.
(b) At the end of the operating day, Korean rice cakes that have
been at room temperature for more than 24 hours, shall be destroyed
in a manner approved by the local enforcement agency.
(c) For purposes of this section, a "Korean rice cake" is defined
as a confection that contains rice powder, salt, sugar, various
edible seeds, oil, dried beans, nuts, dried fruits, and dried
pumpkin. The ingredients may not include any animal fats or any
other products derived from animals. A Korean rice cake is prepared
by using a traditional Korean method that includes cooking by
steaming at not less than 275 degrees Fahrenheit, for not less than
five minutes, nor more than 15 minutes.
(d) All manufacturers of Korean rice cakes shall place a label on
the Korean rice cake as prescribed by Section 111223.

[Das Ubergeek]

I'd love to see the numbers of how many people are sickened by unrefrigerated rice noodles.

It'll become like eating ortolans -- you'll have to eat your unrefrigerated rice noodles with your head under a napkin.

[liu]

The televised news report that I heard said that no one -- in millions of years! -- has ever become ill from unrefrigerated rice noodles that come from the primary manufacturer of such. Of course, I don't know how "they" gather the data for such a statement, but illness from unrefrigerated rice noodles does not seem to be an issue.

And I love your ortolans visual, Das Ubergeek!

[liu]

NOoooooo!

This was also on the local televised news today.
Have you ever taken rice noodles home from dim sum and refrigerated them for the next day? It just doesn't work!