Whitehorse Council refuses to reveal name of restaurant fined for dirty food, kitchen
WHITEHORSE Council is refusing to name a restaurant it successfully took to court for selling contaminated food.
The council claimed it does not have to release the information to the Whitehorse Leader, citing a section of the Food Act.
This is despite neighbouring Monash Council last month naming a Glen Waverley restaurant that was fined $19,000 for filthy kitchen conditions.
Whitehorse Council’s acting general manager human services Tony Johnson said the council successfully prosecuted the Box Hill restaurant last month for the sale of contaminated food and general cleanliness and maintenance issues.
The unnamed business was fined $7000.
The council made more than 2000 inspections across 1000 registered food premises during the past financial year, with about 30 breaches discovered.
“Council also has three court cases pending that relate to the sale of contaminated food, an unclean and unsanitary premises, and a premises failing to pay a penalty infringement notice relating to a noncompliance matter,” Mr Johnson said.
Mr Johnson said the council issued a further 27 formal notices to food premises under the Food Act 1984.
“Some of the penalties for these offences range from penalty infringement notices through to court imposed convictions, fines and awarding of costs,” Mr Johnson said.
The news comes after popular Glen Waverley eatery Raramen and its owner were been fined $19,000 after live and dead cockroaches, drain flies, rodent faeces and filthy buildups of food waste, grease, oil and grime were found in the kitchen.
Monash Council first inspected the restaurant on March 3 this year and further evidence of insects and rodents was revealed on eight subsequent inspections.
Horrified Leader readers took to social media to express their revulsion at the news.
The restaurant, which is still open for business, achieved full compliance with the Food Act in July.
Raramen owner Siu Yin Hip has since apologised to customers.
Source: Whitehorse Leader, Jesse Wray-McCann, 18th August 2015
Originally published as: Whitehorse Council refuses to reveal name of restaurant fined for dirty food, kitchen
