Bing Boy Westfield Marion franchisee fined $7000 for breaching food safety standards

A POPULAR takeaway outlet at Westfield Marion has been convicted for breaching food safety standards — that included poor hygiene as staff couldn’t wash their hands — and fined $7000.

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A TAKEAWAY outlet at Westfield Marion has been convicted for breaching food safety standards and fined $7000.

Marion Council alleged in the Adelaide Magistrates Court that the bing boy shop had poor food hygiene practices and staff couldn’t wash their hands in a basin because it was obstructed by a chopping board.

The court ordered franchisee Tight Assignments Pty Ltd to pay a $6000 fine, and director Michael Calava must also pay a fine of $1000.

The breach was discovered when Marion Council’s environmental health officers did a routine inspection of bing boy in April last year.

Mr Calava did not turn up to a hearing last Friday, January 29, and was convicted in his absence.

It is the first time in at least four years that the southwestern council has prosecuted a food business for breaching the Food Act.

A bing being made.

Marion Mayor Kris Hanna said the case sent a strong message to the community and to food outlets.

“Businesses which continually fall short of the food safety standards risk being prosecuted,” Mr Hanna said.

“The community has a right to good hygiene in our restaurants and cafes.

“Since becoming mayor in 2014, I’ve pushed for a stronger emphasis on enforcement.”

A council spokesman said the council had attempted to work with the business to help it meet its food safety obligations.

Mr Calava and Tight Assignments Pty Ltd will also have to pay $1246 in costs to Marion Council and another $1006 in court fees.

Bing boy, which sells urban Asian street food, has 13 stores in South Australia and 20 interstate.

Bing boy marketing executive Cassandra Demasi said the incident was the first with a franchisee in the company’s five-year history.

“All franchisees and team members undergo training and assessment before commencing and during their working relationship with Bing Boy,” Ms Demasi said.

“This is constantly monitored through monthly audits from (the) bing boy franchisor.”

Mr Calava did not return calls.

He is in the process of selling the business and now lives in Noosaville, Queensland.