WORTHINGTON — An event this weekend described as a “full sensory experience” in which participants dine off nude bodies has been canceled, with organizers citing “complications with town policies.”

Originally planned for Saturday, the event would have been a fusion of culinary and somatic elements: a modern twist on the ancient Japanese practice of nyotaimori in which participants eat sushi off a reclining woman’s body. But organizers Coco Bustin, who was responsible for the venue in Worthington, and Chantelle Castano said they decided to cancel after being required by the town to submit permitting paperwork and consent to inspections of the property.

“It felt very invasive that the town of Worthington wanted us to do all this stuff … and pay fees … and have many different groups of people inspect our event, her land, her home, and what not,” said Bustin, referring to the property where the event was to take place.

Bustin explained that although the event had been publicized in various papers and advertised ticket sales, she “knew everyone on the guestlist” and has known the woman on whose property this was to occur, “as a friend for several years.”

Town officials, however, had nothing to do with Food and Form’s cancellation, according to the Worthington Select Board’s executive assistant Peggy O’Neal.

For the past year town officials have been exploring how the town handles “ticketed public events,” O’Neal said that in the past there was no such permitting process in place, as public events of this nature were not allowed under the town’s former regulations.

This changed when, “Prior to this, a year ago, there was an event in town at which someone had gotten hurt,” prompting the Select Board to amend town bylaws last May to require event organizers to seek permits for ticketed events.

At a special meeting Tuesday, the Select Board discussed potential regulations governing permitting documentation, which has been a “work in progress” over the past year.

O’Neal said that the bylaw “definitely will be ratified” as permitting details are being ironed out by the board.

The new permitting process, like the one Bustin and her artists were expected to do, will require applicants to be in consultation with the Board of Health, Conservation Commission, emergency services, as well as other municipal resources. Parking plans, first aid response and cleaning procedures will all need to be documented and described ahead of time in th e permitting process.

O’Neal cites safety as the primary motivator to introduce a permitting process, saying even the town’s gravel roads and infrastructure can be cause for worry.

Instead of “keeping events a secret” as O’Neal said has been the case in the past, event coordinators will simply need to notify the town via proper documentation, and depending on crowd sizes and duration of the event, planning may require an interview with the Select Board.

Weddings, funerals, fundraisers, bake sales, and similar events will not require an event permit, nor will conventional celebrations such as holidays, graduations, and birthdays.

Samuel Gelinas can be reached at sgelinas@gazettenet.com.