Organic Panic Over Real Naked Food's BYOC Policy

Division Street's own Real Naked Foods has been in the news this week over controversy surrounding its BYOC policy - that's "Bring Your Own Container" including jars, bottles, bags or the like. The Division Street grocery store has an entire wall of bulk items, such as grains, nuts, oils and teas where customers can purchase these bulk items using their own containers.

 Photo courtesy of Real Naked Foods

On Monday, the Tribune wrote:

....to Chicago's Department of Public Health, the [BYOC] practice also can mean danger and potential liability if someone gets sick from cross-contamination.

"We don't … allow folks to bring in their own containers to restaurants, delis or any other place, for that matter," said Cort Lohff, medical director for environmental health at the Chicago Department of Public Health. "We are worried about people bringing in containers that are not cleaned very well and then contaminating any surface that they might touch with that."

Another clip from Fox Chicago shed more light on the policy:

Although Real Naked Foods owner Lauren Yucan said only about 25 percent of customers actually bring their own containers, it would be a shame to see this option shut down at the grocery store, which opened in April.

What do you think about BYOC - public health issue or sustainable, eco-friendly shopping practice?