A chilling discovery at a Perth restaurant turned a family dinner into a nightmare when two young sisters were accidentally served insect repellent instead of their favorite drink! This alarming incident, which saw children unknowingly ingest a dangerous chemical, has resulted in a substantial $40,000 fine for the former owner and the now-defunct Miky's Italian Fusion restaurant in Crawley.
Imagine this: it's June 2024, and sisters Hannah Lemin, 12, and Olivia, 11, are enjoying a meal with their parents, Marcus and Michele, at the Italian eatery. Their evening took a frightening turn when the girls began to complain that their cranberry juice tasted, in their words, "poisoned." This wasn't just a picky eater's complaint; it was a warning sign that something was terribly wrong.
But here's where it gets truly shocking: it was later revealed that a bartender had mistakenly poured a pink-colored citronella torch and lamp oil solution into their glasses, thinking it was cranberry juice. This potent mixture, meant for outdoor lighting, was what the children had consumed.
The immediate aftermath saw the girls receiving medical attention at the hospital, and the incident triggered a thorough investigation by the Department of Health. In Perth Magistrates Court, the former proprietor, Michele Angiuli, was found guilty on multiple charges, including selling unsafe food and failing to exercise due diligence. Magistrate Donna Webb pointed out that Angiuli had indeed neglected his responsibilities, and the restaurant appeared to be lacking in crucial areas, such as ensuring staff possessed necessary food safety certifications.
Angiuli's defense highlighted that he had since lost his business and exited the hospitality industry entirely.
'It's just old cranberry juice' - The initial denial that escalated the panic.
The family's account, shared with the ABC shortly after the event, painted a vivid picture of their terror. Michele Lemin recounted her daughters' immediate reaction, spitting out the drink and exclaiming, "It's poisoned." When she initially dismissed their claims and tasted it herself, she too was met with the same alarming flavor.
Marcus Lemin described his urgent dash to the counter, driven by the strange smell of the liquid. He recounted how the staff member initially tried to downplay the situation, insisting it was "just old cranberry juice." And this is the part most people miss: the staff member then attempted to hide the bottle, moving it from the fridge to under the counter. This suspicious action only fueled Mr. Lemin's determination to uncover the truth.
Following advice from the poisons information centre, the family rushed their daughters to Perth Children's Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Ms. Lemin described the distressing symptoms their children experienced: burning stomachs and tingling fingers and hands, along with headaches. Thankfully, after several hours of observation, the children and Ms. Lemin were discharged.
Ms. Lemin expressed her profound relief, stating, "We're lucky that the children weren't younger." She shuddered to think of the potential consequences for even younger children.
Speaking after the court proceedings, Mr. Lemin conveyed his hope that the significant fine would serve as a stark warning to the entire hospitality industry. He emphasized his desire for greater diligence and a deeper understanding of the immense accountability that business owners in this sector hold.
Mr. Angiuli himself chose not to speak to the media.
Now, let's open this up for discussion: While the fine aims to send a message, do you believe it's sufficient to deter such serious lapses in food safety? What more could be done to ensure that establishments prioritize the well-being of their patrons, especially the most vulnerable among us – children? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
