By NICOLE VALICEK
HOBSONS BAY has topped the list for the highest number of poor food hygiene breaches in the state, according to the Department of Health’s Register of Food and Safety Convictions.
The registrar shows six food outlets in the municipality have been taken to court since August 2012 for food safety breaches, followed by five in Brimbank.
Three out of six offending food outlets are located in Altona and Altona North followed by two in Williamstown and one in Laverton.
Former Bakers Delight franchisee Beepbake Pty Ltd located in Borrack Square Altona was fined $3500 with $4500 costs in November 2012 for seven breaches of the Food Act.
Breaches include failure to store food in such a way that it was protected from the likelihood of contamination and failure to maintain easily accessible hand washing facilities.
The food outlet is now under new management and observes all regulations, according to Bakers Delight spokesperson Paul Houlihan.
“A new operator took over operations of Bakers Delight Borrack Square, and has been compliant with the relevant food authorities and Bakers Delight’s internal measures,” he said.
“This was an isolated event, and we continue to work together with all Bakers Delight franchisees to achieve and maintain the highest food safety standards.”
In the municipality, five convictions were for critically unhygienic businesses.
The heaviest fine handed down was $18,000, with $5321.60 in costs for an Italian restaurant in Williamstown for 13 breaches of the food act.
Hobsons Bay Mayor Sandra Wilson said the council worked very closely with all 639 food businesses in the municipality to ensure compliance with food safety standards is taken very seriously.
“Prosecution is an absolute last resort, which in 2012-2013 affected less than 1 per cent of its registered food businesses,” she said.
“In that same year, there were no proven cases of food poisoning, and people can continue to enjoy the diversity and quality of food on offer here, whether residents or visitors.”
