A server at Gogi Time in Oakland, CA served us a water pitcher half empty that came from the table behind us after the party of 8+ left. I politely asked her to take it away/ complained and she rudely explained that this is how they serve water to everyone regularly.. basically just switch/ refill pitchers even when USED. Is that right?! FDA approved? Can something be done??

Why do you hate aquifers?

1. It's nothing to do with the FDA 2. What is it you seek to be "done"? In my opinion she did absolutely nothing wrong, she did not contaminate the pitcher and no one from the party of 8 did either. She is right, that's basically how it's done everywhere...so I'm not understanding what Justice you seek.

Idk if that pitcher was contaminated. Nor do you. Someone who ate peanuts could have drank out of that pitcher and I can have an allergic reaction. Someone who just yacked could have drank out of that pitcher. Someone who is sick could have drank out of that pitcher. Most places i've ate at bring a different pitcher and refill at the table.

FDA serves as a scientific and technical consultant to state and local regulatory agencies by publishing the FDA Food Code, which sets forth model provisions for keeping food safe in restaurant, cafeteria, and institutional food operations.

I think the idea of someone actually "drinking" FROM the water pitcher is pretty absurd.  They more than likely poured/filled their glasses, topping them off with more water from the pitcher at the table of 8.  Now, do I think that she could have been more tactful in her delivery?  Yes.  Maybe she could have taken that pitcher to the back and then filled it with more water and then brought it to you and you never would have known. But, alas...  Hindsight in 20/20.

I ditto @Stephani. But, @Erika since you're sooo certain about this contamination...call the Feds, sis. Although it'll be hard to prove since you also don't know anything about a pitcher of water. You're breathing, no?

PS: thanks for defining "FDA approved" - as California doesn't generally send out the FDA to inspect a tiny (let alone, unknown) restaurant and their water practices. That's usually done per ServSafe in CA. Just food for thought. Or water.

I don't think she really believe they drank from the pitcher. She was just trying to justify her own pettyness. This was posted at like 2 in the morning. She literally lost sleep over it. lol

The OP could have a point -- I started sucking from the tableside bottle of Heinz when I was only an infant. Remember to consume only condiments from sealed plastic packs.

^backwash?

Erika, you should write a nasty note on a brick,
and throw it through the fukin' window.

#analogcomplaint

The fact still remains that when you eat out wherever you go these are just things that come with the territory. The moment you step foot out of your house out in the public and into any establishment you pretty much have to deal with whoever and whatever is in there. That means all the airborne bacteria, germs and viruses.

The health department would make the call on this not FDA.  Typically anything served to a customer should never be reserved to another. Water containers should be of concern because if left on a table unsupervised the customers may have put items inside. (sorry yelp, drugs are placed in drinks all the time but kid may do it too like added food flavor like Mio)    I have seen customers pour out their tea or coffee back into the serving containers so they could drink another item. fine for a family  Probably assuming the restaurant would clean the container .....  wrong.....  No reusing bread, butter, chips and salsa,  rice,

Note that the OP is from Hayward. When my boss recently called me from Hayward, I sent him my sympathies. Wouldn't wish that on anyone.

The Food Code is under the FDA
U.S. Public Health Service U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Public Health Service *  Food and Drug Administration

I think the 700 pages of code says you can reuse the water container if the bottle never touches the cup being refilled.  How can a establishment say that if it leaves the jug on a table?

3-304.16
Using Clean Tableware for Second Portions and Refills.  
(A)  Except for refilling a CONSUMERS drinking cup or container without contact between the pouring UTENSIL and the lip-contact area of the drinking cup or container, FOOD EMPLOYEES may not use TABLEWARE, including SINGLE SERVICE ARTICLES, soiled by the CONSUMER, to provide second portions or refills. (B)  Except as specified in ¶ (C) of this section, self-service CONSUMERS may not be allowed to use soiled TABLEWARE, including SINGLE-SERVICE ARTICLES, to obtain additional FOOD from the display and serving EQUIPMENT. (C) Drinking cups and containers may be reused by self-service 74 CONSUMERS if refilling is a contamination-free process as specified under ¶¶ 4204.13(A), (B), and (D)
.

Did you call the county health department?

This is a similar problem that might occurs everywhere

Has anyone else noticed how bottle water drinkers think it is OK to place their water bottle up against the water cooler spigot for a refill?  Yes, if they drink out of the same bottle all day, you can too!

When I fill my water bottle from a cooler, I have to intercept the water arc with my bottle opening. Nothing touches anything. Or do you mean a top dispensing water spout? Nobody can get their mouth on that one.

Has anyone ever seen the movie "Waiting"?
#jussayin

We have 5 gallon water dispensers at work that gravity flow out tap. People refill  the disposable water  bottle  instead of buying a new one.  But for most people the small bottle opening touches the tap because the flow is not perfect.  

This bottle has a larger opening but he may be touching the tap since holding it there is hard without spilling
gettyimages.com/detail/p…

At least they are tryna use it as a bidet

*not

Ah.

Go to OSH and buy some tubing smaller than the smallest refillable bottle opening, yet big enough (when soaked in boiling water) to fit over the spigot. Also buy a hose clamp of appropriate size.

Stick the tubing into the boiling water for five minutes, then force over spigot. Secure with hose clamp. Cut length to an inch or two. Tube should fit into bottle with only incidental contact with inside, and no contact with outside or top of water bottle.

I have never seen a water bottle that the existing spigot does not already fit inside.

There must be a cashier at OSH with big tits.

Jay, please settle this issue with your brother, G. I did the best I could.

Actually, not that I've ever noticed.

I actually never thought of the spigot on water dispenser, I mostly just drink tap water.
Unless I'm in Porterville or Fresno.the bases there have filtered dispensers. Not sure it's a defendable avoidance, I just skip it.

Hetch Hetchy water is delicious from the tap -- groundwater, not so much. Plus, the South Bay is full of Superfund sites from the history of wafer processing, disk drives, etc. My immediate neighborhood (not that there are wells there) has undergone years of remediation from corner gas stations, and most recently, the corner dry cleaners.

Here is another possible cross contamination violation. .  Pour me another beer?  If the pub reuse the glass, they better not  dispense it as if it were a clean glass. Most bartenders hold the glass against the tap, less foam less spillage. A great way to share the back wash.  

Silicon valley well water is full of minerals and other chemicals, such that the water fountains are usually caked with deposits. We have water service at work, but due to coworker etiquette the quality of the water is unknown.  Plus No one ever cleans the water dispenser.

tits or gtfo

I'm so sick of dirty bitchers

Where I go, they give everyone a clean glass each time

Check this out   Pizza and a choice of 30 beers but ... self serve!
Blast 825 Pizza. Cupertino,  When I saw the open taps I thought of this Talk.

Interesting concept for you beer drinkers but it's a pizza place not a bar.   Will it survive?

Not if the ABC finds out

The link didn't work

Blast 825 Pizza & Self serve beer ....  once you show ID and pay for a RFID badge

yelp.com/biz/blast-825-p…