Hoystory

An 86-year-old World War II vet has managed to get a busybody from California’s nanny state on his back.

Shasta County health officials are cracking down on an 86-year-old disabled World War II veteran who has been selling homemade fruitcakes for more than a decade.

The Department of Environmental Health cites an obscure law banning food businesses in private homes.

Jack Melton of Redding gave away many of his pecan-filled fruitcakes. But health officials saw a small handmade window sign offering some for sale.

Health specialist Fern Hastings says Melton must use a commercial bakery that has passed a health inspection even if he gives his cakes to the public. [emphasis added]

Wow! Now you can’t even give food you make to the public unless you use a kitchen that has passed a health inspection in the state of California? I wonder if there’s a reward for turning in these sorts of scofflaws, because I know someone who gives away metric tons of The World’s Best Fudge every year.

If Shasta County is forced to lay off employees due to the state’s ongoing budget problems, may I suggest that Fern Hastings be first on the list. Maybe if she’s hungry enough, Melton will give her a fruitcake.