Unsafe food leads to fines
By KEVIN MARTIN, CALGARY SUN
Consumers want food that not only tastes good, but is safe to eat, a Calgary judge said yesterday in fining a Chinatown bakery and two of its directors. "People ought to feel secure when they go to a restaurant that the food is palatable and safe to consume," provincial court Judge William Pepler said.
Diamond Bakery Company, and Henry Chan and Duong Quong Ho each pleaded guilty to three separate charges under the Public Health Act.
The pleas followed similar admissions by Calgary Court Restaurant of violating the provincial statute, but Pepler said he wanted to hear from owner Winnie Wai-Man Chan before levelling any fines.
Prosecutor Rob O'Neill said Diamond Bakery was selling perishable food items -- such as meat-filled buns -- at its 3 Ave. S.E. store at unsafe temperatures.
"They're basically just standing Petri dishes," O'Neill said outside court.
Chan and Ho were each handed fines and surcharges of $2,760, while the bakery must pay $1,380.
In a separate case Calgary Court, on 2 Ave. S.E., admitted four charges under the PHA.
O'Neill told Pepler health inspectors found unsafe conditions in the restaurants including cockroaches in an upstairs storage room and flies in the basement.