If the craftsman holds it in front of you, the sushi will feel even more delicious. However, there is a movement in California that is pouring water for such fun.


According to the US media Los Angeles Times, California introduced new hygiene standards in January this year. Eating and drinking establishment employees are prohibited from "touching" ready-to-eat-foods "with their bare hands." This made it mandatory to use tools such as tongs and disposable gloves when handling sushi, bread and fruits.

The regulation aims to strengthen food hygiene, but it was the sushi chefs who were in trouble. Niki Nakayama, who runs a Japanese restaurant in Los Angeles, points out that it is difficult to wear gloves and hold sushi. "The sushi rice sticks to the gloves, the sensation of the hands is lost, and it is not possible to grasp with proper force, which spoils the taste," he said.


Sushi lovers aren't silent either. They run an opposition campaign on the signing campaign's dedicated website, change.org. "Sushi held with bare hands by traditional methods is more hygienic than using vinyl gloves," he said, calling for the abolition of the regulation.

In addition, various voices have been received, such as "employees will not wash their hands," "disposable gloves are bad for the environment," and "it will make you feel like you are in a hospital." The government, which has received a fierce opposition from the food and beverage industry, has finally announced a review of its regulations.

The regulation is said to be in the "trial stage" until June this year, and no penalties will be applied yet. Coordination is likely to continue among stakeholders for full-scale implementation after July.