A popular Thai restaurant operating within Westfield Carousel shopping centre has been slapped with a hefty fine after health inspectors uncovered a series of serious food safety breaches, described as "disgusting" in court documents.
Shocking Conditions Uncovered by Inspectors
The City of Canning took legal action against the eatery, Thai Thae Restaurant, following inspections in 2023. The Perth Magistrates Court heard that environmental health officers discovered multiple critical hygiene failures during their visits.
Among the most alarming findings was the discovery of live and dead cockroaches throughout the food preparation and storage areas. Evidence presented in court detailed cockroaches on shelving, inside equipment, and even on cooking implements. The restaurant was also found to be in a general state of disrepair and poor cleanliness.
A Catalogue of Hygiene Failures
The list of violations was extensive and posed a direct risk to public health. Key breaches identified by the council included:
- Failure to maintain the premises to a required standard of cleanliness.
- Inadequate pest control, leading to the widespread cockroach infestation.
- Food being stored at unsafe temperatures, risking bacterial growth.
- Poor structural condition of the premises, including damaged surfaces that could not be properly cleaned.
Magistrate Matthew Holgate did not mince words when reviewing the evidence, stating the breaches were "disgusting" and represented a significant departure from acceptable food safety standards expected by the community.
Substantial Fine and Legal Consequences
In a ruling delivered on April 16, 2024, the court found the restaurant guilty and imposed a significant penalty. Thai Thae Restaurant was ordered to pay $40,000 in fines and costs for the litany of food safety offences.
The City of Canning's Mayor, Patrick Hall, emphasised the seriousness with which the local government treats such breaches. He stated that the substantial fine reflects the severity of the violations and should serve as a strong warning to all food businesses in the area. The primary duty of any food outlet is to ensure the health and safety of its customers, and such blatant failures will be met with strict enforcement action.
This case highlights the ongoing vigilance of local government environmental health teams in Perth. Regular inspections are a cornerstone of protecting public health, and businesses found to be operating in an unsafe manner face serious financial and reputational damage.
Patrons of shopping centre food courts rightly expect high standards of hygiene. This prosecution demonstrates that authorities will act decisively when those standards are dangerously compromised, no matter how popular or established a venue might be.
