Post by wheelspinner on May 3, 2011 4:43:59 GMT -5
I spotted a cockroach in my spice cabinet on the weekend and freaked out. I can't imagine how I'd react if this happened to me.
Cockroach toppings land pizza shop in court
Louis Andrews
May 3, 2011 - 10:59AM
Customers of a Canberra pizza restaurant infested with cockroaches bought more than they bargained for last year, taking home pizza and pasta dishes with extra creepy crawlies.
Whono's Pty Ltd, trading as the Dickson branch of the Domino's chain, pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to four breaches of ACT food safety laws, the Canberra Times reports.
And in an interview with authorities, the operator admitted the restaurant battled a cockroach problem for six months. He also accused staff of failing to follow the store's cleaning regime and of falsifying completed cleaning records.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The prosecution has said three unrelated customers, on three separate occasions, raised the issue with ACT Health in April and May last year.
Documents tendered before Magistrate Grant Lalor yesterday revealed the restaurant was inspected three times in May after the customers complained of vermin in their food.
Authorities were first alerted to the infestation when a customer photographed a slice of barbecue chicken pizza containing a cockroach; another separate but similar complaint was made the next day.
The following month a public health officer inspected the Cape Street restaurant. A statement of facts said the officer "found the premises to have a large number of non-compliant issues" and ordered pest control treatment take place within a week.
Three days after the report was completed, a third customer complained after finding a cockroach in some pasta bought from the store.
Another inspection was conducted, and the public health officer found a large number of recommendations in the initial report were either incomplete or had not been started. A number of photographs were taken on a third inspection the next day, which prompted ACT Health to slap a prohibition order on the premises.
A prohibition order is the strongest sanction available to authorities under the Food Act, other than bringing the establishment before the courts, and can prevent the venue from trading until problems are resolved. The third inspection revealed a litany of problems still unaddressed, including the cockroach infestation and remaining vermin access points.
It is alleged walls, floors and equipment in the preparation area were dirty; hand basins were missing soap and paper towels; fridges were leaking; and garlic bread was left unrefrigerated.
The prohibition order was revoked two days after it was imposed when inspectors were satisfied the cockroach problem was gone and all necessary works were completed.
In an interview with ACT Health officers in May, sole director of Whono's, Michael Duncan, acknowledged the infestation had been a problem for six months and the store had reached "a disgusting state". He told authorities he was hiring new staff and planning a major refurbishment.
But the prosecution argued the operator should have fixed the problems earlier, after making his own observations, receiving complaints from his customers and being warned by pest controllers.
Whono's has been charged with handling food intended for sale in a way rendering it unsuitable for consumption, failing to transport food in compliance with health standards and two counts of selling food unsuitable for consumption.
Mr Duncan has not been charged with an offence, but his company is listed for a sentencing hearing next week.
It is alleged walls, floors and equipment in the preparation area were dirty; hand basins were missing soap and paper towels; fridges were leaking; and garlic bread was left unrefrigerated.
The prohibition order was revoked two days after it was imposed when inspectors were satisfied the cockroach problem was gone and all necessary works were completed.
In an interview with ACT Health officers in May, sole director of Whono's, Michael Duncan, acknowledged the infestation had been a problem for six months and the store had reached ''a disgusting state''. He told authorities he was hiring new staff and planning a major refurbishment.
But the prosecution argued the operator should have fixed the problems earlier, after making his own observations, receiving complaints from his customers and being warned by pest controllers.
Whono's has been charged with handling food intended for sale in a way rendering it unsuitable for consumption, failing to transport food in compliance with health standards and two counts of selling food unsuitable for consumption.
Mr Duncan has not been charged with an offence, but his company is listed for a sentencing hearing next week.
Canberra Times
Read more: www.theage.com.au/small-business/franchising/cockroach-toppings-land-pizza-shop-in-court-20110503-1e5tf.html#ixzz1LHTpXfHV
Cockroach toppings land pizza shop in court
Louis Andrews
May 3, 2011 - 10:59AM
Customers of a Canberra pizza restaurant infested with cockroaches bought more than they bargained for last year, taking home pizza and pasta dishes with extra creepy crawlies.
Whono's Pty Ltd, trading as the Dickson branch of the Domino's chain, pleaded guilty in the ACT Magistrates Court to four breaches of ACT food safety laws, the Canberra Times reports.
And in an interview with authorities, the operator admitted the restaurant battled a cockroach problem for six months. He also accused staff of failing to follow the store's cleaning regime and of falsifying completed cleaning records.
Advertisement: Story continues below
The prosecution has said three unrelated customers, on three separate occasions, raised the issue with ACT Health in April and May last year.
Documents tendered before Magistrate Grant Lalor yesterday revealed the restaurant was inspected three times in May after the customers complained of vermin in their food.
Authorities were first alerted to the infestation when a customer photographed a slice of barbecue chicken pizza containing a cockroach; another separate but similar complaint was made the next day.
The following month a public health officer inspected the Cape Street restaurant. A statement of facts said the officer "found the premises to have a large number of non-compliant issues" and ordered pest control treatment take place within a week.
Three days after the report was completed, a third customer complained after finding a cockroach in some pasta bought from the store.
Another inspection was conducted, and the public health officer found a large number of recommendations in the initial report were either incomplete or had not been started. A number of photographs were taken on a third inspection the next day, which prompted ACT Health to slap a prohibition order on the premises.
A prohibition order is the strongest sanction available to authorities under the Food Act, other than bringing the establishment before the courts, and can prevent the venue from trading until problems are resolved. The third inspection revealed a litany of problems still unaddressed, including the cockroach infestation and remaining vermin access points.
It is alleged walls, floors and equipment in the preparation area were dirty; hand basins were missing soap and paper towels; fridges were leaking; and garlic bread was left unrefrigerated.
The prohibition order was revoked two days after it was imposed when inspectors were satisfied the cockroach problem was gone and all necessary works were completed.
In an interview with ACT Health officers in May, sole director of Whono's, Michael Duncan, acknowledged the infestation had been a problem for six months and the store had reached "a disgusting state". He told authorities he was hiring new staff and planning a major refurbishment.
But the prosecution argued the operator should have fixed the problems earlier, after making his own observations, receiving complaints from his customers and being warned by pest controllers.
Whono's has been charged with handling food intended for sale in a way rendering it unsuitable for consumption, failing to transport food in compliance with health standards and two counts of selling food unsuitable for consumption.
Mr Duncan has not been charged with an offence, but his company is listed for a sentencing hearing next week.
It is alleged walls, floors and equipment in the preparation area were dirty; hand basins were missing soap and paper towels; fridges were leaking; and garlic bread was left unrefrigerated.
The prohibition order was revoked two days after it was imposed when inspectors were satisfied the cockroach problem was gone and all necessary works were completed.
In an interview with ACT Health officers in May, sole director of Whono's, Michael Duncan, acknowledged the infestation had been a problem for six months and the store had reached ''a disgusting state''. He told authorities he was hiring new staff and planning a major refurbishment.
But the prosecution argued the operator should have fixed the problems earlier, after making his own observations, receiving complaints from his customers and being warned by pest controllers.
Whono's has been charged with handling food intended for sale in a way rendering it unsuitable for consumption, failing to transport food in compliance with health standards and two counts of selling food unsuitable for consumption.
Mr Duncan has not been charged with an offence, but his company is listed for a sentencing hearing next week.
Canberra Times
Read more: www.theage.com.au/small-business/franchising/cockroach-toppings-land-pizza-shop-in-court-20110503-1e5tf.html#ixzz1LHTpXfHV
