Bettamaid Fined $63,000

Bettamaid fined $63,000 for handling and selling unsafe food.

The NSW Food Authority is pleased with a decision in the Wollongong Local Court in relation to ten charges it brought against Bettamaid Fundraising (A.C.N 112 256 381 Pty Ltd) yesterday (28 April 2016).

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 NSW South Coast and ACT between January and March 2015.

Bettamaid supplied the facilities with bakery products, which were contaminated with a rare strain of salmonella, causing a number of people to be hospitalised as a result.

The Local Court Magistrate Beattie, agreed with the Food Authority’s submission that there was a hygiene failure and fined the company accordingly.

“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 Lisa Szabo, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Food Authority.

“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,” she said.

Charges brought against the Director of the company have been adjourned to 26 May at Wollongong Local Court.