MusicJunkie
10-29-2008, 04:21 PM
A FOOD sample supplied by a family who allege they were served gelato laced with frozen faeces at a Sydney hotel has tested positive for faecal matter.
Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said preliminary laboratory test results by the New South Wales Food Authority showed the sample contained bilirubin, found in excreta.
Further DNA analysis would now be done to determine if the sample was of "human or animal origin'', the minister said.
Those results are not expected for a number of weeks.
"Obviously, we are keeping an open mind and do not want to pre-empt this investigation in any manner,'' Mr Macdonald said.
"Authority officers are continuing to conduct interviews with hotel staff and the family.''
"They are also reviewing CCTV security videos and have inspected the hotel's kitchen.''
The Whyte family claim they were served the contaminated ice-cream at the Coogee Bay Hotel free of charge on October 5 after complaining they could not hear the televised NRL grand final over the pub's loud music.
The eastern Sydney hotel yesterday received the results of its own lab tests on the chocolate gelato tub involved, saying it cleared the ice-cream of any contamination.
Staff at the Coogee Bay Hotel also have all agreed to a DNA test in efforts to clear the pub's name.
"The Coogee Bay Hotel has never disputed that the substance the Whytes have held for three weeks could be faecal," the hotel said in a statement.
"The real question remains - where did it come from?"
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24570077-421,00.html
Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said preliminary laboratory test results by the New South Wales Food Authority showed the sample contained bilirubin, found in excreta.
Further DNA analysis would now be done to determine if the sample was of "human or animal origin'', the minister said.
Those results are not expected for a number of weeks.
"Obviously, we are keeping an open mind and do not want to pre-empt this investigation in any manner,'' Mr Macdonald said.
"Authority officers are continuing to conduct interviews with hotel staff and the family.''
"They are also reviewing CCTV security videos and have inspected the hotel's kitchen.''
The Whyte family claim they were served the contaminated ice-cream at the Coogee Bay Hotel free of charge on October 5 after complaining they could not hear the televised NRL grand final over the pub's loud music.
The eastern Sydney hotel yesterday received the results of its own lab tests on the chocolate gelato tub involved, saying it cleared the ice-cream of any contamination.
Staff at the Coogee Bay Hotel also have all agreed to a DNA test in efforts to clear the pub's name.
"The Coogee Bay Hotel has never disputed that the substance the Whytes have held for three weeks could be faecal," the hotel said in a statement.
"The real question remains - where did it come from?"
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24570077-421,00.html