Maribyrnong has greatest number of restaurants breaching food safety standards in Melbourne

Deciding where to eat out next? You might want to read this list of Melbourne eateries that have been fined or hauled into court for filthy food practises first.

SHOCKING new data has revealed the Melbourne council areas with the most restaurants prosecuted and fined for filthy food practices.

A Department of Health register showed six food businesses in Maribyrnong and another six in the City of Melbourne had been convicted and/or fined for dirty food prep surfaces and equipment and other breaches, in the past eight months.

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Five were penalised in Whitehorse, three in Boroondara and two in Yarra.

West Footscray cafe Jellybread failed to “ensure food contact surfaces and equipment (were) in a clean and sanitary condition”.

Who wants to eat in a cafe with a kitchen like this?

>> SEE THE LIST OF CONVICTED MELBOURNE EATERIES BELOW

Proprietor Mark Buchan Woods was slapped with a $900 fine and ordered to pay $103 in legal costs by a Sunshine magistrate on June 15 this year.

Maribyrnong chicken shop Chicken on Edge also copped a hefty $3110 fine with $168 in legal fees on the same date.

The Leader contacted the businesses for comment but received no response.

Others convicted in the City of Melbourne include Riva Cafe and Bar and Xian Famous Foods.

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Maribyrnong had seven food convictions recorded for 2017, more than double the 2016 figure.

Maribyrnong Council planning services director Nigel Higgins said the council took food safety “very seriously”, with more than 1200 food premises inspected each year.

“We take enforcement of noncompliance seriously and believe that no food business should put members of the public at risk of food poisoning,” he said.

No-one wants to end up like this after going out for dinner.

Food scientist Dr Ajay Shah said there was a greater risk of food poisoning if the kitchen equipment was dirty.

“Clean as you go — after finishing one job make sure everything is clean, otherwise bacteria can grow,” Dr Shah said.

All convictions are listed on the register for at least 12 months.

Businesses that handle, prepare or sell food are inspected by council officers at least once a year, with the cost to ratepayers partially offset by registration fees.

The council offers a confidential tip line to report food poisoning or suspected food safety violations. To make a tip, phone [phone] or visit maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

EATERIES CONVICTED IN 2018

Satay Inn Malaysian Restaurant, Kew

Jellybread, West Footscray

Chicken on Edge, Maribyrnong

Chpaati Indian Restaurant, Burwood

Riva Café and Bar, Melbourne

Theo’s Rye Hot Chicks — Charcoal Chicken, Rye

8 Artisan Bakers, Burwood East

The Food Republic Cafe, Blackburn

Lane’s Edge, Melbourne

Xian Famous Foods, Melbourne

Surf City Motel, Torquay

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