Jilin Restaurant Chatswood fined over food safety, hygiene breaches

Meat stored on floors and food exposed to contamination was uncovered by council inspectors at a leading north shore restaurant. SEE THE PICTURES.

A popular Chinese restaurant is the latest venue in the Chatswood CBD to be served with hefty fines over a string of food safety and hygiene breaches.

Jilin Family Restaurant was issued four infringement notices by Willoughby Council on June 22 after inspectors discovered breaches of food safety standards including boxes of meat stored on the floor.

The visit resulted in fines totalling $3520 for offences including failing to store food in a way that would protect against the likelihood of contamination.

Photos taken during the council’s visit showed buckets of noodles, boxes of meat and a silver pot containing meat stored on the floor – a breach of hygiene standards stipulating food must be stored at least 15cm off the ground.

A photo of the food taken during the inspection.

Potentially hazardous food was also discovered out of temperature control, ready to eat food was found uncovered, and hand wash basins were obstructed.

Willoughby Council said the inspection followed a complaint from a member of the public alleging food was being prepared in a narrow corridor that runs behind the eatery.

The venue’s manager Sean Liu told the North Shore Times all hygiene issues had been resolved and put the breaches down to a case of bad timing.

“When the inspectors came we had new staff who were training – it was unlucky timing because the manager wasn’t there. He was unwell,” Mr Liu said.

The council issued the venue with more than $3000 in fines.

A photo taken during the inspection.

“There was a big plate of food near the floor but it wasn’t actually touching the ground and the meat wasn’t served to customers.

”We have an amazing reputation and always meet the standards – it’s the first time we’ve had an issue. We’re a very safe restaurant.

“The staff who were training aren’t with us any more.”

The fines are the latest issued to a food venue in Chatswood with figures from the NSW Food Authority showing 16 other businesses in the suburb have been issued penalties in the last 12 months.

The venue is located on Anderson St.

Willoughby Council said it was committed to protecting the health of the public.

“The standards prescribed by the Food Standards Code are the minimum standards a registered food business must comply with when preparing food for sale to the public,” a spokeswoman said.

“The elderly, the infirm and small children are members of our community who may be particularly vulnerable to food borne illness arising from a failure to comply with the minimum standards.

“The council applies a combination of education and enforcement to achieve compliance.”