Albany French Hot Bread Shop has temporarily closed after being fined more than $60,000 for severe health violations, including rodent droppings and raw meat juice dripping onto fresh bread. The popular Vietnamese bakery, located on Albany Highway in the Albany Plaza shopping centre, shut its doors at the weekend, with a sign citing renovations.
Court Proceedings and Penalties
Albany French Hot Bread Shop Pty Ltd and its two director operators, Tan Minh Le and Hoang Thanh Nguyen, were sentenced in Albany Magistrates Court on Wednesday. City of Albany prosecutor Tim Beckett described the case as one of the worst he had seen in relation to cleanliness. The charges stemmed from inspections on January 16 and 29 this year, following years of compliance issues, warnings, and improvement notices.
First Inspection Findings
During the first inspection, a city officer discovered rubbish and unwashed food containers in food preparation areas, a strong mould odour, and a cool room with mould-covered cardboard boxes, dirty shelves, and a container of raw meat dripping juice onto fresh bread. Walls, floors, shelves, benches, and appliances were covered in grease and dirt. Rodents had defecated on uncovered bread rolls. Tea towels and other food-handling items were black with dirt, fridge seals were mouldy, and the oven bottom was coated in baked-on food. Rotten food was stored next to fresh items, raw meat was defrosted with vegetables in the sink, and sausage rolls and pies were left uncovered on the floor. Personal items like reading glasses, money, and a faecal specimen collection jar were stored near food.
Second Inspection and Ongoing Issues
On January 29, officers noted significant cleaning had occurred but the premises remained unsatisfactory. Food handlers were seen removing mouldy and rotten food from the cool room and serving ready-to-eat food to customers without washing hands. Mr Beckett stated, "The food business appeared to lack basic skills and knowledge that is required for safety purposes, such as handwashing, which is critical when operating a food business." He added that the photographs from January 16 were among the worst for cleanliness, highlighting rodent faeces, personal items, and the faecal collection jar.
Charges and Sentencing
Le, Nguyen, and the company each faced eight identical counts of failing to comply with the food standards code. One charge was dismissed per defendant, leaving seven active matters. Charges included failure to maintain cleanliness, secure food from contamination, keep premises in good repair, prevent pests, appoint a food safety supervisor, and ensure handwashing. Le, 60, pleaded guilty on April 1, while Nguyen, 57, and the company were convicted under section 55 the same day. Magistrate Rosemarie Myers noted improvements in May, such as pest control and Le's food handler certificate, but the bakery remained significantly dirty and mouldy. Warnings had been issued since 2023.
Public Health Risk
Magistrate Myers said, "The potential contamination as a result of the mould, the cross-contamination of food, and lack of handwashing causes a potential significant risk of illness to members of the public." She highlighted the persistent failure to appoint a food safety supervisor increases the risk of poor hygiene standards. Le and Nguyen each received global fines of $7,000 plus $600 court costs, while the company was fined $43,750 with $1,800 costs. Maximum penalties were $350,000 for individuals and $1.75 million for the company. The defendants' lawyer expressed remorse and apologies for putting the community at risk. The bakery remains closed with a handwritten sign for renovations, alongside awards from the Baking Association of Australia for 2020 and 2022 pie competition placings.
