I was under the impression that they were,but was told differently.

By Panini (Panini) on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 - 06:21 pm: Edit

I don't think the make canvas bags anymore, if you find them they are usually coated on the inside. whether they are sanitary or not is up to you local inspector and what rules they have adopted. I think I read that even the canvas type are some type of poly weave.
panini

By Gerard (Gerard) on Tuesday, April 25, 2000 - 10:16 pm: Edit

They were pretty useless for me, when bagging macaroons all the almond oil came through and made it impossible to squeeze unless wrapped with a towel, cleaning requires boiling in soap and bleach. I tossed em.

Regards, Gerard

By Raine on Wednesday, April 26, 2000 - 10:44 am: Edit

What do you use now?
Reason I ask is,I need something to hold large amount.Parchment is not reliable.It tears too easily.And hygo/poly(clear) bags I cant find large enough,18" only.Having to stop every 2 sec. kinda ruins the rythm.
The inspector didn't list them last time. They are due back soon, and would rather avoid the violation.His main nit pick was labeling storage last year. We run a clean shop so he has to get creative.

By d. on Wednesday, April 26, 2000 - 01:02 pm: Edit

We use plastic coated canvas. My dishwasher is trained to wash them properly and the most important thing is to hang them up on a hook so they airdry. They never smell and we've kept them pretty clean. We get them from Rykoff. Also, I scold the kitchen guys if they ever use my bags(and they well enough know not to use them!).

By Raine on Wednesday, April 26, 2000 - 05:32 pm: Edit

The coated canvas is what I am refering to.Even they sweat with a lot of pressure,or worse,the seam breaks.
Won't let dishwashers touch mine,their useless:{

By Gerard (Gerard) on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 05:00 am: Edit

The best bags I have are some sort of polyester fabric lined with what feels like polypropelene(slippery waxy feel) on the inside.
If you're doing a lot of bagging a pump injector with hand trigger would be the way to fly, they make a version that has a pickup tube to go into the mixing bowl. Its a beautiful ting.

By Raine on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 07:26 am: Edit

A great way to fly,but not practical for cakes.
Seems as if coated canvas is used every where.Since they may be banned in my area,any ideas for good replacement,Or does any one know how to find large(24"+)hygo/poly(clear)bags?

By W.DeBord on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 08:28 am: Edit

I use bags that are very similar to Wiltons feather weight plastic bags. They aren't coated canvas (I don't like the feel of those), they are called light weight or feather weight bags, similar to what Gerard has mentioned. They don't last for-ever (about a year) but that's fine, by that time their looking old anyway. We get them thru Edward Don.

By Raine on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 04:38 pm: Edit

Only one year,it takes at least 3 months of daily washing to get the stiffness out. I hate having to throw out comfortable bags. Almost like tossing out comfortable jeans.If feather weight are all plastic,I don't think inspector will complain.(not that it would stop him).

By panini on Thursday, April 27, 2000 - 06:45 pm: Edit

run all your new bags through the washing machine a couple of times with a little bit of bleach to break down the fibers.

By W.DeBord on Friday, April 28, 2000 - 07:35 am: Edit

The ones I use have the name "Continental" written on a diagonal on the bags. They aren't super stiff, two good washings and they are totally comfortable, no "break-in time". They're all plastic, light weight bags that pass inpection in IL.

I scoop more than bag for portions (too hard on wrist). I was assuming you bag mostly so they'd probably last a year for you, they last longer for my use.

By Raine on Tuesday, May 02, 2000 - 04:58 pm: Edit

Thanks for your help. I found the plastic bags (feather wieght),but unfortunetly, the word from the FL inspecters is that NO bags can be used unless they are disposable. Sooo.....the only option is to use parchment or disposibe plastic.
I'm having a hard time adjusting. What really gets me is that reusable bags have been standard in this industry for more years than I've been alive. Just because some schmuck left product to rot in bag for weeks (because they were too lazy to wash it out) then used it. Their stupidity is going to waste my time and cost the business lots of extra $$$. Why is it necessary to punish those who aren't responsible? Nobody has ever gotten sick eating one of my cakes!

Just needed to rage a while. Thanks again:)

By Gerard (Gerard) on Thursday, May 04, 2000 - 05:24 am: Edit

You obviously don't have a copy of the code, get it, read it and know what you can use.
I think your inspector is pulling the wool over your eyes. I've seen a lot of that, they'll say "you should be doing (this or that)" and rely on your not knowing and assuming they are quoting code, they'll often try to make their job easier like this. I don't believe washable bags are illegal. But FL is a tough enviroment, I worked there for a yr and almost melted.

Imagine bagging out a huge batch of product, you could go through a case of disposeables. I have some of those clear plastic ones, fairly useless if you can't grip them. It sounds like bunk.
Don't let the inspector be your source for the code, you're supposed to know it.

By Raine on Thursday, May 04, 2000 - 09:27 am: Edit

A very loooong discussion (argument) with boss did not seem to help my case. Since they are in charge of over-all sanitation procedures, it would cost me my job to continue using washable bags. As the saying goes "sh*t rolls down hill". I can only assume this is serious because, my boss usually doesn't question me. They are confident in my ablities, and we have always gotten along.
In FL it is only manditory for one person to be certified, usually this is the staff manager. So my knowing all the codes has never been an issue. However if winning this discussion(argument) means getting certified, I'm all for it.
I've broken 6 #$@* bags since last posting.
Only h*ll is hotter than FL in august.

By panini on Thursday, May 04, 2000 - 06:26 pm: Edit

Raine,
Gerard is right, it is your job to know the local codes. I've asked around some very knowlegable people and they tell me this did not get adopted from FDA guidelines. Your inspectors should also be there to help. Ask them for a copy of the local code. If your unfomfortable to do this at work, than do it from home.Just call and ask for the code that prohibits use of these types of bags.I believe th3e poly coated bags are non porous. Your inspector may be misinformed.

By CountryBaker on Thursday, May 04, 2000 - 09:58 pm: Edit

Raine,
Take a stroll through a Super Wal-Mart or K-Mart or any other large chain with an in house bakery. At most of them you can see the cakes being decorated. If they are using washable bags, then you can bet they are not against FDA guidelines. The ones here use washable bags. I think you are being given the runaround. I use washaable bags and have never been told not to. I have had bags and tips checked, they were fine. The can opener is an area that is checked a lot here. I have been food service supervisor for a nursing home and a Catholic school. Believe me you haven't been inspected until you are working with a federaly funded program. I would check into the matter of washable bags. I think they are legal. This is just my opinion on the matter. Good Luck

By Raine on Thursday, July 06, 2000 - 09:48 pm: Edit

I was walking through my local super Wal-mart and this thread popped into my head.

The "decorator" (for lack of a better word,because I think she was doing more harm than inhancement to this "cake")(another term I use loosely) Any way...

She was using a poly disposible bag and she was also wearing latex gloves.

I hope this does not become industry standard.

I gave up on the disposibles, and reordered the coated canvas bags. After going through two 50ct boxes in a week and a half, my boss did not argue my decision.

Panini, thanks for the washing machine tip, it worked very well.