A Coronial inquest has today established that asparagus sauce was to blame for the death of a diner at a popular Sydney restaurant. 81-year-old William Hodgins died last January just 12 hours after eating a meal which was covered in an asparagus sauce laced with bacteria. Two other people who ate the same meal also fell ill but have since recovered. It was found that the sauce, served at Tables restaurant in Pymble, NSW, was made the day before it was served to Mr Hodgins and left out for too long... ...Read more »

Food poisoning outbreaks and the range of preventative measures will be the focus of a major food crisis management conference in Sydney, Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said today.The ‘Issues and Crisis Management in the Food Industry’ conference to be held in Sydney this morning will include several international experts to discuss a wide range of worrying issues. “Case studies to be examined include the foot and mouth disease and bluetongue outbreaks that have recently... ...Read more »

Retailers, including Coles and Woolworths, are working with the Office of Fair Trading to identify a brand of tongs which is believed to be the possible cause of metal found in food products around Australia in recent months. A joint national police investigation led by the Queensland Police Service in conjunction with Queensland Health and other State Health Authorities was carried out in relation to the matter. The investigation established that there was no evidence of criminal activity or poor... ...Read more »

The raw fish trade is booming in Australia, as consumers begin to realise that raw fish is not only very healthy but also delicious. However, chefs and sushi experts at a restaurant summit recently held in Tokyo have made clear their concern about the possible danger of the raw fish boom. As popularity of traditional Japanese food has escalated over the past decade food-safety risks may also have been increasing, as amateur consumers and businesses seek to make their own sushi. Businesses are beginning... ...Read more »

A piece of metal has been found in pre-packaged sausages at a supermarket in South Australia. The supermarket, located in Gawler, has yet to be named and there have been no product recalls at this stage. A connection between this case and recent similar incidents in Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia has not been established however the recent spate of meat contamination is cause for concern.  Read More →

Metal objects of up to six centimetres have been found in pre-packaged meat products sold in four supermarkets in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales. Woolworths and Coles have consequently removed all similar items off their shelves in case they too have been contaminated. No injuries have been reported and police are currently investigating what they believe to be a deliberate case of contamination. The incident stresses the need for care and diligence in food-handling procedures... ...Read more »