Cairns restaurant complaints: Two eateries closed over food safety
A nauseating number of complaints about Cairns restaurants have been lodged in the past year — but only two were shut down for serious food safety breaches.
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A NAUSEATING number of complaints about Cairns restaurants have been lodged in the past year — but only two were shut down for serious food safety breaches.
Cairns Regional Council has revealed it received 93 complaints about food premises in 2019-20, down from 111 in the previous financial year.
It conducted 1253 routine inspections, 404 follow-up inspections and issued 21 improvement notices.
Only three fines were issued, and two restaurants had their licences suspended — both of which have since been reinstated.
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Complaints ranged from eateries operating without a licence to hygiene concerns and suspected food poisoning.
“Council takes a proactive approach to food safety concerns with an emphasis on education,” planning and environment general manager Kelly Reaston said.
“Council works with local businesses and the figures show that the vast majority of foot outlets in Cairns are safe and comply with requirements.
“If breaches are found, those traders are provided with advice and instructions to assist them remedy the issue and improve their practices in order to continue trading.”
2019-20
■ 1253 routine inspections
■ 404 follow-up inspections
■ 21 improvement notices
■ Three fines
■ Two licence suspensions
Originally published as Cairns restaurant complaints: Two eateries closed over food safety