Some of New South Wales's dirtiest and most dangerous restaurants have been named and shamed by the State Government as part of a new campaign to expose hygiene and health violations.
A dozen dirty restaurants have been named, and their saftey breaches listed, on the NSW Food Authority website after receiving penalty notices of food safety regulations.
While restaurants that have received convictions for safety violations have been listed on the site for almost a year, today is the first time penalty notices will be provided to the public.
Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald says these few are just the start of a long list of violations that will be named by the end of the year.
"From today, consumers can readily access information on the website about food business performance to help them decide where they eat or buy food," he told News Ltd.
"The website already lists prosecutions that have taken place over the past 12 months but from last night it will also list details of businesses that receive penalty notices for breaches of food laws.
"The Government has delivered on its promise to give consumers better access to information about performance of food outlets."
The businesses named include:
- A McDonalds on the Central Coast, fined $660 for fialing to keep its handwashing basin in working order.
- A restaurant in Cabramatta, fined $990 for failing to keep storage and serving areas clean.
- Two restaurants in Penrith, fined a total of $1320 for failing to keep premises and equipment clean.
The full list: Dirty dozen exposed
The offending restaurants will be kept on the list for two years if they are prosecuted and one year if they are issued a penalty notice.
If a business is sold, the list can be amended to let the public know the premises is under new management.
Ten convictions for safety violations - including unclean premises, food not protected from contamination, vermin and dirty equipment - have been listed on the site since July 2007.
Mr Macdonald said the NSW Food Authority was working hard to provide the public with all the information needed to help them avoid dangerous food outlets.
"It's a comprehensive list that includes details such as the name of the person served with the penalty notice and business trade name."
"This important initiative balances the right of consumers to know about serious breaches of food standards with treating food businesses equitably."