Sushi Tamon: Chatswood Chase sushi bar fined over food safety

A north shore sushi bar’s ‘alternative method’ of compliance for potentially hazardous food has resulted in a whopping fine and allegedly left a diner sick.

Affected food included sushi rolls.

A north shore sushi outlet has been fined $880 after a customer allegedly suffered a food-borne illness after eating there.

Sushi Tamon at Chatswood Chase was issued the infringement notice by Willoughby Council on December 17 last year after an inspection found the restaurant failed to display potentially hazardous food under correct temperature controls.

The inspection was prompted after a customer allegedly suffering a food-borne illness after eating food purchased from the store on December 14.

Photos by Willoughby Council show time control colour (blue) coding and the sushi rolls on display to customers that were past the designated discard time on December 17, 2020.

During the inspection, the council said food display cabinets were not kept under effective temperature controls, with affected food including sushi rolls that were on display to customers.

“The food business claimed to use an alternative method of compliance for temperature control of potentially hazardous food (which) involved not displaying food for more than four hours,” a council spokeswoman said.

“A colour coding system with time monitoring was utilised by the business but was found by council to not be adequately complied with (during the inspection).

The business is located at Chatswood Chase.

“Sushi rolls marked with blue tape indicating a discard time of 2pm was observed by council to be available for sale (at the time of the inspection) at 2:23pm”.

In response to the fine, the council said Sushi Tamon has implemented a new colour coding system that factors in food preparation time to ensure compliance.

The restaurant has also told the council staff have been trained in a new food safety system and are aware of disposal requirements.

The fine is the latest issued to a food venue in the local government area as part of the council’s ongoing compliance program to ensure local businesses are safe and attractive for residents and visitors.

“In this regard, council has consistently maintained a strong commitment to protecting the health and safety of consumers of food purchased at registered food businesses in the busy Chatswood CBD and other suburban locations,” a council spokeswoman said.

“Council uses a combination of education and enforcement to encourage compliance with the minimum standards prescribed by the Food Standards Code.”

The North Shore Times contacted Sushi Tamon but a manager at the store declined to comment on the fine.