The core issue at the heart of this case is a serious lapse in food safety that innocent children unknowingly faced, leading to a punitive penalty for the restaurant. But here’s where it gets controversial: how responsible should a venue be for the actions of its staff, and what level of due diligence is truly enough to protect customers, especially kids? The Perth restaurant now bears the consequences of a misstep that could have had far worse outcomes.
Two sisters, Hannah, 12, and Olivia, 11, were dining with their parents, Marcus and Michele Lemin, at Miky’s Italian Fusion in Crawley, a suburb of Perth, in June 2024. During the meal, the girls noted that their cranberry juice tasted “poisoned.” It turned out the beverage was not cranberry juice at all but a pink-colored citronella torch and lamp oil solution, served by a bartender employed by the restaurant.
The children were treated in hospital, and the incident triggered a Department of Health inquiry that highlighted gaps in the establishment’s safety protocols. In a sentencing decision delivered at Perth Magistrates Court, Michele Angiuli, the former owner, was found guilty of selling unsafe food and failing to exercise due diligence, along with two related charges.
Magistrate Donna Webb remarked that Angiuli had not shown sufficient due diligence and that the restaurant appeared inadequately managed in several respects, including the lack of proper food safety certifications for staff. Angiuli’s lawyer noted that he had since lost the business and no longer works in hospitality.
The Lemon family recalled the distressing moment to ABC the day after the incident. Michele Lemin described how her daughters initially gulped the liquid before spitting it out, insisting it tasted poisoned. Marcus Lemin rushed to the front counter, smelling the liquid and demanding to see the bottle it came from. He claimed staff initially refused, saying it was “just old cranberry juice,” and that the bottle was kept out of sight under the counter before he insisted on seeing it.
After receiving guidance from the poisons information center, the family took the girls to Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Michele Lemin described symptoms including burning in their stomachs, tingling hands and fingers, and a headache. The sisters and their mother were monitored in hospital for several hours before being discharged. Michele emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting how differently it would have affected younger children.
In discussing the aftermath, Marcus Lemin did not specify an exact sentencing expectation but expressed that the penalty should convey a message to the hospitality sector about accountability. He hoped it would drive greater industry rigor and awareness of responsibilities among business owners. Angiuli declined to comment to the media.
This case raises questions about accountability in food service, the adequacy of safety certifications, and whether stringent oversight is sufficient to prevent similar incidents. Do you think the penalties and regulatory responses in cases like this adequately deter unsafe practices, or should there be broader reforms to restaurant management and staff training to better protect customers, especially children? Share your thoughts below.
