Buncha Buncha’s Tuan Quang Nguyen and Trang Thi Hien Chu fined

Rat droppings on food packets, 14 degree chicken pate and garlic stored among grotty utensils are just some failed food standards which led to the owners of a popular Vietnamese restaurant being fined. SEE THE PICTURES

The owners of a popular Vietnamese restaurant in Brisbane have been fined after rat droppings were found in the kitchen and chicken products were stored at unsafe temperatures.

Tuan Quang Nguyen and Trang Thi Hien Chu, who run Buncha Buncha in Stones Corner, pleaded guilty to nine counts each of failing to comply with the Food Standards Code.

The self-represented couple also pleaded guilty to nine counts each of contravening the conditions of a licence all stemming from the same incident.

Trang Thi Hien Chu and Tuan Quang Nguyen fined for food safety breaches at their Vietnamese restaurant in Stones Corner. Picture: Josh Woning

Brisbane City Council prosecutor Jac Thong said a complaint regarding hygiene issues was received about Buncha Buncha in July last year.

The following day a council officer attended and observed noncompliance with the Food Standards Code in several areas including food storage, hygiene, cleanliness, cleaning and sanitising of equipment, single use items and rodents.

Rodent droppings were found on food packages such as the one pictured. Picture: Brisbane City Council

Herb leaves can be seen stuck to a packet of noodles. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“Rodent droppings were observed in the dry storage area, the drinks storage area and the kitchen,” Mr Thong said.

“There was chicken pate and chicken stock … respectively identified to be at 14.5 and 39.2 degrees.”

Mr Thong said they should have been stored at below 5C or above 60C.

“They were effectively being stored at an unsafe temperature where foodborne pathogens and toxins can grow on the food and potentially cause serious illness,” he said.

The food business license was immediately suspended however the restaurant closed voluntarily before the suspicion was enforced.

A follow up inspection two days later found the business was compliant with food safety standards.

Buncha Buncha in Stones Corner. Picture: Buncha Buncha on Facebook

Mr Thong sought a combined fine of $23,000 to $26,000 for the couple who had no prior history, the Brisbane Magistrates Court heard today.

Speaking through an interpreter Chu told the court that the business was suffering the financial impacts of COVID 19 at the time and she was doing everything herself.

Ginger and garlic was found stored with utensils and a rubber band. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“I paid for someone to come and do pest control. We don‘t have rodents but because it’s an old building they come from outside into the building,” she said.

“There’s no cockroaches in the shop, no insects.”

Chu said she was “very embarrassed”.

Grease and heavily carbonised material on top of a gas stove top. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“I’m aware of what I have done wrong and I really regret it and I plead guilty,” she said.

Chu said the business was still suffering financially and they had negative income.

Acting Magistrate Patrick Murphy said food safety laws existed to ensure the safety of the community

Chicken liver pate was found to be at an unsafe temperature on the top bench of a refrigerator. Picture: Brisbane City Council

“The potential risk to your customers was quite high,” he said.

Taking into account their pleas of guilty, co-operation with council and financial situation he reduced the penalty he would have ordinarily imposed, he said.

A freeze was found to be at a temperature not suitable for keeping food in a solid frozen state. Picture: Brisbane City Council

The couple were fined $7,500 each and no convictions were recorded.