Vegie shop closed overnight after food complaint

Raw deal: Shoppers were puzzled by the closure of Dandenong Fruit Fair. Picture: Cameron Lucadou-Wells

A FRUIT and vegetable shop in Dandenong Plaza was last week closed by Greater Dandenong Council for a breach of the Food Act.

Responding to a customer complaint, a council environmental health officer inspected Dandenong Fruit Fair.

The officer’s report prompted the closure about 4pm last Wednesday.

The following morning, DFF staff — perhaps obeying the store’s ‘Think Fresh’ slogan — were restocking cauliflowers and tomatoes into freshly cleaned stalls.

A senior staff member denied there had been a council inspection.

“We’re just spring cleaning — cleaning the whole shop,” he said, as curious customers were shooed away from the shop by a security guard.

Centre manager Mark Tannahill said in a statement: “The health and safety of our shops and shop owners is our top priority. The shop has been ordered to close and then clean its premises.”

He said a council inspector gave the all-clear after the ‘spring clean’ on Thursday morning.

For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly  at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter  @DandyJournal.