Mixed response to name and shame

by Gwendolyn Goh

April 28, 2008

THERE have been mixed reactions among consumers and restaurateurs over the WA government’s bid to name and shame unhygienic restaurants on a department of health website.

“This website is definitely a plus for me because my boyfriend and I eat out a lot and it’s good to know which places we should absolutely avoid eating at,” Como-based restaurant-goer Linda Dawson said. “I hope this initiative will scare those dodgy restaurants into getting rid of their unhygienic practices.”

Under the new Food Bill currently before WA parliament, all health-related prosecutions of eateries will be made public. This contrasts to the current system where publishing breaches, or not, is up to individual local governments.

Unhygienic practices include cross-contamination of food, dirty appliances, food stored at inappropriate temperatures, selling food beyond its expiry date and unclean premises.

John Sng, who operates a restaurant in Joondalup, gave the new website the thumbs up.

“This is awesome as it helps to weed out the black sheep in the community and it also enables the customer to make better-informed choices,” Mr Sng said. “I hope business will improve for me with the naming of such dodgy eateries as my restaurant complies with all the necessary hygiene standards.”

Andrea Byrne, a food poisoning victim after eating at her regular haunt in Northbridge, said the website would not do much for her.

“I know it sounds stupid after what I’ve been through, but as long as the food is good, I’ll not hesitate to return,” Ms Byrne said. “Mine was a one-off incident and I’ve been fine after eating there with my mates subsequent times after my sickness.

 “If you choose to eat out, just close one eye to whatever goes on in the kitchen because you’ll never want to know why your food tastes so good!”