Gold Coast City Council fines 75 businesses for breaching food safety standards

An exclusive Bulletin investigation has revealed dozens of Gold Coast businesses have been pinged by council for dodgy food safety practices, with eateries in three dining precincts dominating the list.

DINERS are playing Russian roulette with their health because Gold Coast City Council will not name dozens of businesses which have breached food safety standards.

That’s despite the council stating on its own website the consequences of foodborne diseases include “temporary and serious chronic illness and even death.”

The Bulletin requested the identification of businesses as well as photos relating to breaches.

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526 reports were made relating to food safety standards during the last financial year on the Gold Coast. Picture: iStock

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“We aren’t able to disclose confidential information gathered during inspections and investigations,” a spokeswoman said.

However, the council did reveal that a shocking 526 reports were made relating to food safety standards during the last financial year on the Gold Coast.

Out of the hundreds of reports, 78 related to alleged foodborne illnesses, which can be caused by bacteria like campylobacter and salmonella.

The council found 75 businesses to be in breach of the Food Act 2006 and it slapped them with a combined $64,000 in fines.

The most common breaches related to inadequate cleaning and maintenance.

The council did not detail how many breaches involved pests like rats and cockroaches.

City businesses involved in food preparation are checked by environmental health officers routinely and in response to complaints.

During the 2019/20 financial year 7855 inspections were conducted.

“As expected, the City’s three largest dining precincts Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and Southport received the majority of breaches in the 2019/20 financial year,” the spokeswoman said.

“The most common food safety issues detected by the City’s environmental health officers during inspections include cleaning, poor temperature control of potentially hazardous foods, incorrect food storage and food handler hygiene.”

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Think an eatery’s food has made you sick? Phone the council on 07 5667 5988. Picture: iStock

There were 1736 cases of gastrointestinal diseases reported by Gold Coast Health last year and so far this year there have been 1147 cases.

The council spokeswoman said of the 4000 food businesses on the Coast, less than two per cent were found to have breached the Food Act 2006.

“The City takes food safety very seriously, and this is evidenced by the low number of breaches in comparison to the total number of licensed food establishments on the Gold Coast,” she said.

Food handler hygiene was a commonly reported food safety issue. Picture: iStock

“The City’s ‘Eat Safe Gold Coast’ food safety rating scheme was launched in November 2017 to provide all licensed food businesses with a ‘star rating’ based on an assessment of their food safety practices.

“The scheme ensures the City’s food industry continues to be among the world’s best in safety standards and introduced incentives for operators to continue to improve their food safety management practices.”

Anyone who believes they have become ill due to eating out or getting takeaway food should report the issue to council as soon as possible on 07 5667 5988.