Topless food handlers cop fine

29 September 2009

Three semi-naked male food handlers working in a kitchen at a Sydney restaurant are the latest in a record list of 127 fines to appear on the NSW Government’s Name and Shame website today, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.

Two kitchen staff at Vinh Phat restaurant in Cabramatta were found working in the kitchen topless to the waist and a third man was wearing a singlet, during an inspection by council health officers.

"This incident is a blatant breach of food safety laws, it goes against every basic rule in the book," Mr Macdonald said.

"I am advised this happened in February this year, but there is no excuse for not wearing the appropriate clothing, regardless of how hot it may be in the kitchen.

"This type of behaviour disregards fundamental food handling rules for eliminating the risk of cross-contamination.

"Consumers should not have to take any risks when dining out."

This week’s Name and Shame list also names a St Marys restaurant that was prosecuted for five food law offences and fined $70,500, for offences in May 2008.

The Chiu Chow Restaurant in St Marys copped another $330 fine for having cockroaches, rodents and flies in its kitchen.

The restaurant and a list of its earlier offences appeared on the Food Authority website in April this year, after Penrith Council concluded its court action.

From today, 78 food outlets fined for 127 offences appear on the Government’s Name and Shame list, bringing the total to 1397 fines in 813 premises.

Other food businesses making the Name and Shame list today include:

• A butcher on Anzac parade, Kingsford received three fines of $660 each for illegally adding sulphur dioxide preservative to pork and beef to disguise its appearance.
• An Indian restaurant on Gladesville Road, Hunters Hill received four fines of $660 each for being unclean and having cockroaches in its kitchen.
• KFC, Belmore Road, Randwick received three fines of $660 each for being unclean and having cockroaches on its premises.
• Michel’s Patisserie on Charles Hackett Drive, St Marys was fined $1100 for selling mouldy sponge cake.
• A 7 Eleven store on Victoria Avenue, Chatswood was fined $660 for selling chocolate milk past its use-by date.
• A bakery on Merrylands Road, Merrylands received three fines for $330 each for storing foods at incorrect temperatures and for being unclean.
• A Winston Hills bakery on Caroline Chisholm Drive received three fines of $660 for having unclean premises and equipment.
• A pizzeria on the Great Western Highway, Lawson received seven fines of $330 each for a string of cleanliness offences.
• Bakers Delight, Summer Street, Orange for three fines of $660 each for being unclean, improper storage of food ingredients and improper temperature control of foods.

The Food Authority Name and Shame list is at www.foodauthority.nsw.gov.au/penalty-notices

Also on this site

• name & shame register of penalty notices
• topless food handlers cop fine pdf version 34KB media release
• media releases list