Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
A Christchurch restauranteur has been placed on 6 months home detention and fined $20,000 for selling food that had been recalled.
In November last year, the owner of Samurai Bowl in Colombo Street, Xinchen Liu, pleaded guilty to one charge under the Food Act for trading in food that was subject to a recall because of unsafe levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria being found in some frozen meals.
Ms Liu was sentenced in the Christchurch District Court (8 April 2025) following a successful prosecution by New Zealand Food Safety.
“The bacteria found in the food can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhoea. The consequences can be serious for people with compromised immune systems.
“Food recalls are conducted to protect consumers from potential harm. People rightly expect food businesses sell food that is safe and suitable.” says New Zealand Food Safety acting deputy director-general, Jenny Bishop.
A verifier observed routine testing results undertaken by the business, which found unsafe levels of the bacteria S. aureus in samples of frozen ramen meals. MPI’s New Zealand Food Safety was notified, as required under the Food Act. The bacteria find led to a recall on 1 June 2019 of all frozen Samurai Bowl ramen meals made since Ms Liu had taken over the business. Ms Liu confirmed the recall had gone ahead, providing evidential pictures to food safety officers and the recall was closed off in August that year by New Zealand Food Safety.
“Most people do the right thing, but Ms Liu didn’t do as she claimed and stored the meals in freezers. Some of them were defrosted and made available to staff. Miso soup and meat from recalled meals was also served to customers at her restaurant. This was deliberate and reckless behaviour and Ms Liu’s actions had potential to cause sickness and health risk for a number of customers,” says Jenny Bishop.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
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