Food & Beverage Industry News: Betta Maid, an Unanderra bakery which closed last year, has been fined for selling unsafe food and breaching hygiene standards. [Ed: This outbreak was initially reported in the media quoting an officer of the Local Health District “…we think it is linked to salad products.”] Wollongong Local Court fined the company a total of $63,000 plus $20,000 in court costs.

The charges were brought against the company in response to the NSW Food Authority’s investigation into a salmonella outbreak in 10 aged care facilities on the NSW South Coast and ACT between January and March 2015. As the Illawarra Mercury reports, two residents died and 30 fell ill with a rare strain of salmonella at the facilities of aged care provider IRT. “This court result serves as a reminder to all food businesses why food safety systems are crucial, particularly those businesses serving food to the most vulnerable in our community,” said Lisa Szabo, Chief Executive Officer, NSW Food Authority.