The NSW Food Authority has dished out a $73,000 fine to two KFC restaurants in Sydney for poor hygiene.QSR Pty Ltd, which operates the fast food outlets in the suburbs of Hurstville and Miranda, was convicted of 11 charges of breaching food hygiene laws, NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said today.

“Acting on a complaint made to the authority, inspectors found serious cleanliness and pest problems in both stores from May 2007 to February 2008. Restaurant management was warned to rectify poor hygiene standards at both restaurants on several earlier inspections, but those cautions were ignored,” Mr Macdonald explained.

At the Miranda store, inspectors found grease, food and debris building up on kitchen equipment as well as unclean wall, ceilings, floors and food storage and preparation areas.

The store was required to close in June 2007 after an improvement notice was ignored.

At the Hurstville store, inspectors found evidence of pests and major cleanliness issues 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,” Minister Macdonald stated.

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

Mr Macdonald said the case showed the power of the consumer, especially since the launch of the ‘name and shame’ website.

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