Defunct Unanderra bakery Betta Maid has been fined $63,000 for selling unsafe food and breaching hygiene standards.
A NSW Food Authority spokeswoman said it was pleased with last week’s decision in Wollongong Court, in relation to 10 charges it had brought against Betta Maid.
The company was fined a total of $63,000, plus $20,000 in court costs, in relation to selling unsafe food and non-compliance with general hygiene requirements of the Food Safety Standards.
The charges were brought against the company in response to the Food Authority’s investigation into a salmonella outbreak in 10 aged care facilities on the South Coast and ACT between January and March 2015.
Two residents died and 30 fell ill with a rare strain of salmonella at the facilities, which were operated or supplied by IRT.
The Food Authority traced the cause of the outbreak back to Betta Maid, claiming traces of salmonella were found on food preparation surfaces at its Berkeley Road facility and in food samples obtained at the site.
Last Thursday Magistrate Geraldine Beattie agreed with the Authority’s submission that there was a hygiene failure and fined the company.
‘’This court result serves as a reminder to all food businesses why food safety systems are crucial, particularly those businesses serving food to the most vulnerable in our community,’’ said NSW Food Authority CEO Lisa Szabo.
Charges brought against the company director, Udo Boschan, have been adjourned to May 26.
Ms Szabo added: ‘’Food businesses are obliged to ensure their food is safe and suitable for human consumption and comply with the standards in the NSW Food Act 2003.’’
Betta Maid was ordered to shut temporarily in March last year, but announced in April it would close its doors for good and the company was placed into liquidation.
