Cockroach in cafe coffee

By Callan Date
A COCKROACH in a customer’s coffee has landed a café in hot water.
The now closed Billy Baxter’s Fountain Gate store was found guilty of several charges under the Food Act after a hearing in the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 6 June.
The company was ordered to pay a $5000 fine plus $3000 in legal costs. No conviction was recorded.
The charges, which were brought against the store by the City of Casey, related to the sale of a coffee containing a cockroach and an unclean food handling environment.
Casey manager of community safety Caroline Bell said council took an active role in ensuring food and drink in the local area was safe to consume.
“The court findings are an example to other food premises, to ensure they are complying with food standards,” Ms Bell said.
“The court was presented with photos and other evidence showing the unhygienic condition of the premises, and found that the condition of the premises could have provided a home for cockroaches.”
Billy Baxter’s closed in February this year.
Billy Baxter’s legal spokesman Omar El-Hissi said the Fountain Gate store was closed for reasons unrelated to the court findings.
“The store was closed prior to the matter being heard by the court and therefore the court hearing had no bearing on our decision to close the store,” Mr El-Hissi said.
“This decision was based solely on financial grounds.”
Mr El-Hissi said there had been no other hygiene issues raised against other Billy Baxter’s stores.