KFC stores at Hurstville and Miranda fined $73,000 for poor hygiene, Australia

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TWO KFC restaurants in Sydney have been fined over $73,000 for poor hygiene.
The operator of the fast food outlets in the southern suburbs of Hurstville and Miranda, QSR , was convicted of 11 charges of breaching food hygiene laws, NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said.

"Acting on a complaint made to the authority, inspectors found serious cleanliness and pest problems in both stores from May 2007 to February 2008," Mr Macdonald said in a statement today.

"Restaurant management was warned to rectify poor hygiene standards at both restaurants on several earlier inspections, but those cautions were ignored."

At the Miranda store, inspectors found a build up of grease, food and debris on kitchen equipment as well as dirty food storage and preparation areas, walls, ceilings and floors.

The authority ordered the store closed in June 2007 after an improvement notice was ignored.

At the Hurstville store, inspectors found evidence of pests and extensive cleanliness problems in the food preparation area.

"Clearly this is not a minor or isolated incident, and the (Chief Industrial Magistrate's) Court took the view the defendant failed to fix problems identified before," Mr Macdonald said.

QSR was fined $73,125 and ordered to pay $14,000 court and legal costs.

"This case is a textbook example of how consumers play a vital role in helping police food safety standards. Complaints are taken seriously and acted on swiftly," Mr Macdonald said.

Members of the public can report suspected violations of food safety laws to their local council or on the Food Authority Helpline on 1300 552 406.