Wollongong bakery Betta Maid has been fined $63,000 for breaching hygiene standards and selling unsafe food that resulted in the salmonella outbreak in 10 aged care facilities.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on 2 May 2016 that ‘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 in the ACT between January and March 2015.
The Food Authority traced the cause of the outbreak 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’.
As a result of the salmonella outbreak, two residents died and 30 fell ill.
A NSW Food Authority spokeswoman said that the Food Authority was “pleased with last week’s decision in Wollongong Local Court, in relation to the 10 charges it had brought against Betta Maid, which operated out of the Wollongong suburb of Unanderra”.
“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 Food Authority chief executive Lisa Szabo.
Betta Maid was fined a total of $63,000, plus $20,000 in court costs. The charges that were brought against Betta Maid’s company director, Udo Boschan, were adjourned to May 26. ‘Mr Boschan declined to comment,’ added Sydney Morning Herald journalist Lisa Wachsmuth.
“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,” concluded Ms Szabo.