UNSAFE FOOD BUSINESSES SHAMED ON GOVT BLACKLIST

Dodgy and unsafe restaurants, caterers and food retailers will be named and shamed on a State Government blacklist, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said publicising businesses which have breached the Food Act 2006 was part of a Beattie Government crackdown on careless and dangerous operators in the food industry.

“Our blacklist means that food suppliers and restaurants that put the safety of Queenslanders at risk will be putting their reputation at risk,” Mr Robertson said.

“After they face the courts they will now also face their potential customers and clients with a black mark against their name.

“The name of any food business or individual successfully prosecuted by the State for food safety breaches will be published on the Queensland Health website and stay there for two years.”

The on-line blacklist is located at : http://www.health.qld.gov.au/industry/food/prosecutions.asp.

Mr Robertson said Queenslanders generally enjoyed a high standard of food safety because the vast majority of businesses were very responsible and careful with the food and drinks they supplied.

“However, there are always a few rotten apples that spoil the barrel,” he said.

“All food businesses have a responsibility to their customers and clients to ensure the food they accept and prepare for sale is safe.

“Any prosecutions Queensland Health undertakes under the Food Act 2006 are part of court proceedings and are therefore public documents.

“The public has a right to know if the food businesses they visit have behaved negligibly and I believe it is our responsibility to provide them with that information.”

Mr Robertson said defendant’s details would only be published if they were found guilty or pleaded guilty.

“This will include their name, description of the breach, the plea and the penalty,” he said.

“We are also encouraging local governments to supply Queensland Health with successful prosecutions they initiate under the Act so that information may also be published.”

“At this stage no prosecutions have been completed under the Food Act 2006, however 281 successful prosecutions were carried out for breaches under the previous Food Act 1981 over the past 10 years.

“Businesses could be prosecuted for several reasons including unsafe handling of food, selling unsafe food, falsely describing or labelling food, and not complying with the Food Standards Code.

Queensland Health plays a key role in coordinating, monitoring and evaluating food standards and safety, including prosecuting businesses that breach food safety standards under the Food Act 2006.

Under the Act, Queensland Health is responsible for managing and investigating:

·Food borne illnesses such as salmonella outbreaks;

·Foreign matter in food;

·Food labelling including unlisted ingredients;

·Food composition including the presence of unidentified allergens;

·Food compliant with the Act including safe or unsafe food; and

·Misleading conduct by a food business including misleading or deceptive packaging, advertising or labelling.

Mr Robertson said the maximum fine under the Act was $52,500.

“While there is financial penalty, the damage to a business’s reputation may be immeasurable,” he said.

“Queensland Health developed guidelines and other resources to assist food businesses adhere to the standards so there is no excuse for non-compliance.”

Anyone concerned about the food they eat should contact their local public health unit, listed under Queensland Health in the White Pages.

Please note: Local governments also have responsibilities for ensuring safe food in Queensland, particularly licensing food businesses and investigating unhygienic practices.

2 June, 2006
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056