A popular Chinese restaurant has been fined nearly $25,000 after food inspectors found rodent droppings and bloodstained shelves, a court has learned.
Jackpot Dining’s CBD restaurant on Elizabeth Street in Brisbane had “an apparent rodent problem” when inspected on May 25, 2022, Brisbane City Council prosecutor Chelsie Hirth said.
Although no rats or mice were seen during the examination, a large rodent cage trap was discovered between the footrest tubs, according to the court.
The trap was found on a shelf next to a small container filled with a decaying, unidentifiable substance.
Jackpot Dining’s CBD restaurant on Brisbane’s Elizabeth Street had “an apparent rodent problem”, according to Brisbane City Council food safety inspectors.
The restaurant owners and a director were fined a total of $24,500 for, among other things, failing to prevent rodent entry, poor cleaning practices and substandard food storage. Pictured are blood and other items on the shelves
Although no rats or mice were seen during the examination, a large rodent cage trap was discovered between the footrest tubs, according to the court
The environmental health officer found that the restaurant had failed to prevent rodents from entering the kitchen and that food storage was inadequate courier post reported.
They also reported a breakdown [of] Cleaning operations due to blood on the meat floor and shelves.
‘[Rodents] “Can carry harmful bacteria that can be transmitted to humans when a rodent or its droppings come into contact with food or food-contact surfaces,” Ms Hirth told the court.
Visiting officials noted that hot cooked beef was placed next to thawed meat in the cold room, with the lid of the thawed meat being used to cover the cooked food.
Ms Hirth said the risk of contamination was increased because “the shelves were covered in blood”.
She called for deterrent penalties as Mr Wang ran eight other food businesses – although none of them had violated food standards.
Hu Wang, director of JPE QLD Pty Ltd, owner of Jackpot Dining in Elizabeth St Brisbane, pleaded guilty to eight counts each of violating a condition of a food business license.
Mr. Wang was not required to appear in court and pleas were submitted in writing.
The court heard that Mr. Wang had no criminal record, but had received recoveries from cockroaches at the same restaurant back in August 2021.
A rodent trap (centre) was found on the shelf next to a container filled with a decaying, unidentifiable substance
Rodent droppings were found on the floor of the restaurant kitchen
He said there was a problem with rodents at the loading dock — an area beyond his control — behind the restaurant.
He also provided bills showing he had hired additional pest control services.
But Judge Belinda Merrin said it was apparent the defendants knew the creatures were getting into the restaurant because the traps were set.
JPE QLD was fined $22,000 and Wang was fined $2,500.
