Food Authority confirms finding of faecal matter in hotel’s ice cream

Posted by Editorial on 30th October 2008

The issue of food safety has reared its head again following the much-publicised finding of faeces in a dessert at a Sydney hotel.

The food sample supplied by the family involved in the Coogee Bay Hotel ice cream complaint has tested positive for faecal matter, NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said yesterday.

Minister Macdonald said preliminary laboratory test results carried out by the NSW Food Authority saw the sample test positive for bilirubin. “Further DNA analysis by the Authority will now be conducted to determine if the sample is of human or animal origin,” he said. “That test will take up to a week to complete.”

On a Sunday just over three weeks ago a family visited the Coogee Bay Hotel to watch the NRL Grand Final and were given a complimentary ice cream for dessert after they had reportedly made a number of complaints. They then tested the product after realising that the ice-cream appeared to have an unwelcome addition to it.

The Coogee Bay Hotel reports that they “are horrified by allegations” of deliberate tampering of food. “We strongly refute these allegations and are working with authorities to resolve this as quickly as possible,” they advise on their website. “CBH stand by and support all our staff and continue to maintain the highest of food standards in our Brasserie. We would like to assure all our customers that the new, fresh Coogee Bay Hotel is still focused of providing the best food, hospitality and entertainment experience as we head in this Summer.”
Minister Macdonald added that investigations into the matter would continue and no conclusions should be drawn yet. “Obviously, we are keeping an open mind and do not want to pre-empt this investigation in any manner,” he said. “Authority officers are continuing to conduct interviews with hotel staff and the family.”

They are also reviewing CCTV security videos and have inspected the hotel’s kitchen.