Fortune Chinese Restaurant fined $30,000 after 16 struck down with food poisoning
When 16 people went down with food poisoning after eating at a popular Chinese restaurant, health authorities decided to not issue a public health alert. This is why.
Fraser Coast
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Wide Bay health authorities have defended the decision not to issue a public health alert after 16 people suffered food poisoning at a Chinese restaurant in Maryborough.
In July 2022, Zai Jiao Xiao and Gan Ming Ruan, owners of Fortune Chinese Restaurant, both pleaded guilty to selling unsafe food when they appeared before Maryborough Magistrates Court.
They were fined $15,000 each.
The court heard the charges related to one night on March 21, 2021, when 16 people fell ill with salmonella poisoning after dining at the restaurant.
The matter came to the attention of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service after a woman posted on social media and others complained of becoming ill.
An investigation commenced and those suffering from symptoms filled out a questionnaire, with all saying they had dined at the restaurant that night.
Not all of those questioned could remember what they had eaten, but the common dishes appeared to be chicken and pork, according to the court documents.
But no public health alert was issued in the aftermath of the incident.
Wide Bay Public Health Unit manager Wayne Ingall said salmonella was a notifiable condition under the Public Health Act 2005, and cases were to be investigated by the Public Health Unit, however, there “have been no other clusters identified in the region in the past two years”.
“We are grateful for the thorough and timely investigation undertaken by our Public Health Unit and their continued efforts in monitoring and investigating potential or confirmed public health risks and in turn protecting the general health and wellbeing of our community.”
Mr Ingall said the Wide Bay Public Health Unit had governance under Food Act 2006 and conducted a food- borne illness investigation, the findings of which confirmed that on March 21, 2021, a Chinese restaurant in Maryborough sold food which was determined to be “unsafe” and resulted in 16 persons suffering illness.
“Public health alerts are issued in the event of ongoing threats to the community, this incident related to food being sold for one night only,” he said
“The matter was investigated thoroughly, which included undertaking comprehensive tracing for all notified salmonella cases in the area.
“WBPHU are confident that all persons affected were identified and contacted.
“Follow-up inspections were carried out over time to ensure food safety compliance was met and maintained.”
According to court documents, on March 30, 2021, an inspection was carried out at the restaurant, with food samples and environmental samples testing negative for salmonella.
The menu list for the March 21 buffet was requested and a sign was posted on the door saying the buffet was not to be used by customers.
On April 15, another inspection was carried out at the restaurant and another eight samples of food and surfaces were tested and were negative for salmonella, although a conversation between inspectors and the owners revealed ongoing concerns regarding temperature control, the court documents read.
An inspection in February 2022 revealed the restaurant had changed its processes regarding food preparation, with food cooked fresh every day and food thawed in the fridge not being frozen again.
A spokesman from the Fraser Coast Regional Council said the restaurant was currently licensed.
“Council currently licenses approximately 450 fixed food premises and these premises are routinely inspected on an annual basis,” he said.
In the wake of the food poisoning incident, the Fortune Chinese Restaurant had now achieved a 3 Star Eat Safe rating, he said.
“Eat Safe ratings of participating premises are publicly accessible on council’s website.”
The Fortune Chinese Restaurant was subject to the same requirements as all licensed food businesses, the spokesman said.
“As with any licensed food business, if it fails to meet the Food Safety Laws then actions can be undertaken which can include closure.”
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