Integrity review into whether police and council staff discussed confidential information related to iCook Foods shutdown

An integrity review will probe whether police and council staff discussed confidential information related to the shutdown of iCook Foods.

The force’s professional standards unit is investigating whether police and council members inappropriately ­discussed confidential information related to the shutdown of iCook Foods. Picture: David Caird

A food safety saga that includes allegations a slug was planted on a business’s factory floor by health inspectors has deepened after Victoria Police opened an integrity review.

The force’s professional standards unit is investigating whether police and council members inappropriately ­discussed confidential information related to the shutdown of iCook Foods.

In 2019, the business was ordered to cease operations after it was wrongly blamed for a listeria death at a nursing home, and was also charged by Dandenong Council over alleged breaches of food safety laws.

However, the council dropped all 96 charges before the matter reached court, and the business is now taking legal action against the council and state health department.

Among the allegations made by owner Ian Cook in his lawsuit is the council was influenced by its interest in a rival food business — something the council denies.

Owner of iCook Ian Cook claims a slug was planted in his factory.

He also produced reports by slug experts casting doubt on health inspector evidence.

A police investigation into the matter is yet to be finalised, but emails late last year came to light showing council staff asking Dandenong police about a brief of evidence.

This led to a separate complaint by Mr Cook to Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, but the council denied any wrongdoing and told the Herald Sun it “had every right to inquire of Victoria Police” about the status of an investigation.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton referred the alleged leaks to the police professional standards unit, which has now ­appointed an independent investigator.

A photo showing a slug found in the iCook Foods.

Mr Cook welcomed the news, saying the system shouldn’t allow for anyone accused of crimes to obtain ­confidential information about the status of a criminal ­investigation.

“It’s like Scotland Yard telling Jack the Ripper how their murder investigation is going,” he said.

Victoria Police said all matters were assessed for referral to the “appropriate unit or department for follow up”.

A parliamentary inquiry last year found an initial closure order issued to iCook Foods by the health department was valid but that the business was not dealt with in a fair or consistent way.

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