Brisbane eatery owners fined thousands for food safety breaches

Two former owners of Brisbane fast food venues have been fined $25,000 between them for breaching food safety regulations.

A former owner of two Brisbane eateries has been fined thousands for food safety breaches.

A man previously behind two Brisbane eateries and his former partner in one of the venues has been fined thousands for food safety breaches.

Brisbane Magistrates Court heard various food standards codes were breached at Puneet Ahori’s restaurants Aussie Hunger and American Wings and Burgers, the latter which he had operated with Sameer Sharma.

Brisbane City Council prosecutor Jodie Crane said the most serious aspects related to food being stored outside proper temperature controls at both eateries.

Ahori was charged with 10 counts each of contravening a condition of a food business licence and failing to comply with a requirement imposed by the food standards code in relation to the now closed Aussie Hunger at Chermside.

Ahori and Sharma were both charged with the same 10 counts each in relation to American Wings and Burgers in Fortitude Valley, which continues to operate without Ahori’s involvement.

Neither man appeared in court on Thursday and Magistrate Lewis Shillito proceeded to sentencing in their absence on application by Ms Crane.

The court heard Ahori had previously been issued with improvement and infringement notices in relation to Aussie Hunger’s compliance.

In June 2023 it was given a zero star rating by council who inspected the venue in September giving rise to the charges.

On the same day council inspected American Wings and Burgers which also a had zero star rating and discovered similar issues leading to the charges again Sharma and further charges for Ahori.

While ants were present there, neither venue hosted rodents or cockroaches, which was a common feature in council prosecutions, Ms Crane said.

Both men had previously been fined over conditions at the Fortitude Valley eatery.

Days after the inspection council cancelled Aussie Hunger’s food business licence and did not overturn that decision after Ahori told them of health issues and further cleaning that had apparently been done, the court heard.

“I do note that … he also apparently made threats, which he is not charged with, but did do so to food safety officers and accordingly that is of some concern,” Mr Shillito said.

“The Aussie Hunger business having closed, is perhaps of some assurance in terms of the risks to the community arising from the concerns raised with respect to that business.”

American Wings and Burgers had their licence suspended but it was lifted after two further inspections.

“It’s unclear but there appears to at least be somebody now involved with the American burgers business outside of Mr Sharma who otherwise possibly still remains attached to it,” Mr Shillito said.

Ahori was fined $15,000 in relation to the charges stemming from Aussie Hunger and a further $10,000 for the offences relating to American Wings and Burgers.

Sharma was fined $10,000.

No convictions were recorded for either defendant.