Australian Restaurant Fined 40,000 After Children Allegedly Served Insect Repellent Instead of Juice

A restaurant in Australia has been fined a total of $40,000 after two children were mistakenly served insect repellent instead of cranberry juice during a family meal. The incident occurred at Miky’s Italian Fusion, located in Crawley, Perth, and has since led to the closure of the establishment.

In June 2024, sisters Hannah and Olivia Lemin, aged 11 and 12, were dining out with their parents when they raised concerns about the taste of the beverage they received. Their father, Marcus Lemin, reported that his daughters described the juice as “poisoned” after taking a sip and immediately spitting it out.

The alarming situation escalated when Mr Lemin investigated further, prompted by the unusual taste and scent of the drink. Upon approaching the counter, he requested to see the bottle, during which an initial response from the staff suggested it was merely “old cranberry juice.” However, it was soon established that the pink liquid was actually a citronella solution used for bug repellent.

Realising the severity of the error, the family took quick action by contacting a poison information helpline and transporting both children to the Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital for urgent care. Fortunately, after a few hours of observation, the girls were discharged with no lasting health issues.

The case drew the attention of the Department of Health, leading to a thorough investigation into the restaurant’s food safety practices. Following the inquiry, the matter was brought before the Perth Magistrates Court, where significant negligence on the part of the restaurant’s management was highlighted.

During the court proceedings, Magistrate Donna Webb found that Michele Angiuli, the former owner of Miky’s Italian Fusion, had “failed to exercise due diligence” in the operation of her business. The investigation revealed shortcomings in food safety oversight and the lack of necessary certifications among staff, despite previous warnings.

Angiuli’s legal representative claimed that the incident was the result of “gross negligence” by a bartender, who had been employed at the restaurant for only a fortnight. They argued that the situation was beyond Angiuli’s control. Nevertheless, Magistrate Webb expressed doubt regarding the credibility of parts of Angiuli’s testimony, particularly noting that the bartender had disposed of both the citronella and cranberry juice containers after the event.

Ultimately, the court ruled against Angiuli, deeming her guilty of selling unsafe food, while also acknowledging that she likely did not do so with malicious intent. The penalties included a fine of $20,000 directed at her company, along with an additional personal fine of $20,000 for Angiuli herself, in addition to covering legal costs associated with the case.

Following the court’s decision, Angiuli chose not to comment publicly. The circumstances surrounding this case serve as a stark reminder of the critical importance of adhering to proper food safety regulations and the severe consequences that can arise from negligence in the hospitality industry.

The incident has left the community in shock, as residents reflect on the serious implications of serving unsafe products, particularly to children. As families continue to seek dining experiences, the incident at Miky’s Italian Fusion will undoubtedly linger as a cautionary tale about vigilant food safety standards.