Famous café shuts down by health officials after 45 people report food poisoning
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In a startling turn of events that has left the local community reeling, a beloved acai café in Sydney's north has been shuttered by health authorities following claims that 45 customers were struck down with food poisoning.
Blue Lemon Acai in Wahroonga, known for its vibrant frozen treats and health-conscious offerings, has been issued a prohibition order, compelling the establishment to cease operations until further notice.
The closure of Blue Lemon Acai has raised alarm bells for food safety and hygiene practices, particularly in establishments that pride themselves on providing healthy alternatives.
Acai bowls, the café's specialty, are typically seen as a nutritious option packed with antioxidants from acai berries and other fruits. However, this incident has shown that even the healthiest foods can become vectors for illness if not handled correctly.
The outbreak reportedly affected customers over the last two weeks, with some cases severe enough to require hospital treatment.
The NSW Agriculture Minister, Tara Moriarty, confirmed the government's awareness of the situation.
'In the interests of public safety, a prohibition order was issued by my department through the NSW Food Authority on the Wahroonga-located business Blue Lemon Acai,’ Moriarty said in a statement.
'(This) follows a large number of complaints by customers alleging food-borne illness symptoms after consuming acai-based frozen desserts.’
'The order was put in place to reduce any further public health impact and will close the facility until further notice.'
The owners of Blue Lemon Acai have expressed their devastation over the incident.
‘We have been operating in Wahroonga for 10 years and take great pride in serving our friends and the local community the healthy products we make with love every day,' they said.
'We are devastated by the news of people getting ill and have undertaken a full review of the situation, including our suppliers.’
While they have acknowledged 16 complaints, they also noted that some may have originated from dubious accounts.
Acai, a superfood from Brazil, is typically served frozen and blended with other fruits to create a dessert that's both delicious and nutritious.
However, the equipment used to prepare these treats, often similar to traditional soft-serve machines, requires meticulous cleaning and maintenance to prevent contamination.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) conducts tests, and the results are expected in 10 days.
The North Sydney Local Health District has urged those affected to consult with doctors and provide samples to aid in the investigation.
As the investigation continues, no penalty notices or breaches have been issued against Blue Lemon Acai.
However, the closure notice is expected to remain in place until the authorities are satisfied that the café poses no further risk to public health.
Have you ever encountered a similar situation? How did it affect your trust in dining out? Let us know in the comments below!
Blue Lemon Acai in Wahroonga, known for its vibrant frozen treats and health-conscious offerings, has been issued a prohibition order, compelling the establishment to cease operations until further notice.
The closure of Blue Lemon Acai has raised alarm bells for food safety and hygiene practices, particularly in establishments that pride themselves on providing healthy alternatives.
Acai bowls, the café's specialty, are typically seen as a nutritious option packed with antioxidants from acai berries and other fruits. However, this incident has shown that even the healthiest foods can become vectors for illness if not handled correctly.
Blue Lemon Açai cafe shut down after reports of food poisoning. Credit: @bluelemonacai / Instagram
The outbreak reportedly affected customers over the last two weeks, with some cases severe enough to require hospital treatment.
The NSW Agriculture Minister, Tara Moriarty, confirmed the government's awareness of the situation.
'In the interests of public safety, a prohibition order was issued by my department through the NSW Food Authority on the Wahroonga-located business Blue Lemon Acai,’ Moriarty said in a statement.
'(This) follows a large number of complaints by customers alleging food-borne illness symptoms after consuming acai-based frozen desserts.’
'The order was put in place to reduce any further public health impact and will close the facility until further notice.'
The owners of Blue Lemon Acai have expressed their devastation over the incident.
‘We have been operating in Wahroonga for 10 years and take great pride in serving our friends and the local community the healthy products we make with love every day,' they said.
'We are devastated by the news of people getting ill and have undertaken a full review of the situation, including our suppliers.’
While they have acknowledged 16 complaints, they also noted that some may have originated from dubious accounts.
Acai, a superfood from Brazil, is typically served frozen and blended with other fruits to create a dessert that's both delicious and nutritious.
However, the equipment used to prepare these treats, often similar to traditional soft-serve machines, requires meticulous cleaning and maintenance to prevent contamination.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) conducts tests, and the results are expected in 10 days.
The North Sydney Local Health District has urged those affected to consult with doctors and provide samples to aid in the investigation.
As the investigation continues, no penalty notices or breaches have been issued against Blue Lemon Acai.
However, the closure notice is expected to remain in place until the authorities are satisfied that the café poses no further risk to public health.
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