A EUREKA Street pizza shop has been fined a total of $50,000 for a salmonella outbreak last December which made 19 people ill, including nine who had to be hospitalised.
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Rizzo’s Pizza in Ballarat East was fined $40,000, while the owner, who has not been named, received a $10,000 fine.
Court costs of $12,000 were also levied.
Rizzo’s Pizza and its owner faced 11 charges earlier this month in Ballarat Magistrates Court under the Food Act 1984 (Vic) over the outbreak, believed to have been linked to undercooked pizzas containing eggs.
Both the company and the owner pleaded guilty to all the charges, which related to cleanliness, a lack of temperature measuring devices, a failure to comply with the food safety program and handling and selling unsafe food.
A Ballarat City Council spokesperson said compliance with food legislation and requirements was important to prevent such cases of illness in the community.
“The consequences of food-borne illnesses are significant leading to serious and debilitating illness, including hospitalisation and even death,” the spokesperson said.
“Diligence of all food proprietors is critical in ensuring that safe and suitable food practices are adopted and adhered to.”
They said these include adequate staff knowledge of safe and suitable food handling and hygiene practices, maintaining clean and hygienic premises at all times, making sure food safety programs are adhered to and ensuring all equipment is maintained to a suitable standard.
“Offences under the Food Act can attract significant penalties including substantial fines and criminal conviction.”
Rizzo’s Pizza did not wish to comment yesterday.
The pizza shop was closed for a week from December 30 last year, reopening on January 6 after meeting strict Department of Health conditions.
fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Rizzo’s Pizza
