Blue Lemon Acai at Wahroonga reopens after investigation into food-borne illness

A North Shore acai takeaway business at the centre of a recent food poisoning scare has been given the all-clear to reopen.

A popular North Shore acai takeaway business at the centre of a food poisoning scare has been given the all-clear to reopen.

After extensive testing of samples, the NSW government on Friday night lifted a prohibition order it had served on the Blue Lemon Acai store.

The order was served just over a week ago, after the NSW Food Authority received complaints from people claiming they had suffered foodborne illness symptoms after consuming acai-based frozen desserts.

A Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development spokesman said a re-inspection of the Wahroonga premises was carried out on Friday.

“A clearance certificate was issued at approximately 8pm on Friday night,” the spokesman said.

“The Prohibition Order on the business has now been lifted and it can recommence trading.”

Acai bowls have become a favourite healthy treat. File picture: Supplied

The owners of Blue Lemon Acai have told The Sunday Telegraph that they had been informed by authorities that samples taken from the store had returned clear.

It is understood NSW Health are continuing to analyse separate clinical samples to determine what caused the outbreak.

Blue Lemon Acai has been operating in Wahroonga for a decade.

About 45 people fell ill – three of whom had gone to hospital – allegedly with food poisoning after eating frozen acai desserts from the north shore takeaway business.

In a statement sent to The Telegraph, Blue Lemon Acai owners declared that the business was “devastated” by the reports of people falling ill, and would be undertaking a review of the situation.

“We have been operating in Wahroonga for 10 years and take great pride in serving our friends and the local community the healthy products we make with love every day,” the statement said.

“We are devastated by the news of people getting ill and have undertaken a full review of the situation, including our suppliers.”

It said the business had been advised of “16 complaints”, but given some of the posts about the business on social media were from “fake accounts’, these were also being reviewed.

Blue Lemon Acai in Wahroonga has reopened. Picture: Supplied

Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty. Picture Gaye Gerard

At the time, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the order followed the NSW Food Authority receiving 27 formal complaints alleging “foodborne illness symptoms” after consuming “acai-based frozen desserts”.

Ms Moriarty said the government was aware of reports alleging up to 45 people becoming ill, “with three indicating they attended hospital”.

“In the interests of public safety, a prohibition order was issued today (September 20) by my department through the NSW Food Authority on the Wahroonga located business Blue Lemon Acai, following a large number of complaints by customers alleging food-borne illness symptoms after consuming acai-based frozen desserts,” she said.

“The order was put in place to reduce any further public health impact and will close the facility until further notice.”

The complaints centred on purchases from September 11 to 18, she said.

Ms Moriarty also said Ku-Ring-Gai Council had advised her department that it had no record of the business having been approved to operate from its location.

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Originally published as Blue Lemon Acai at Wahroonga reopens after investigation into food-borne illness