Perth, Australia – A Perth couple was left horrified after their two daughters were allegedly served a pink-colored solution of citronella torch and lamp oil instead of cranberry juice at an Italian restaurant. The incident, which is currently being investigated by health authorities, occurred on Friday night at Miky’s Italian Restaurant in Nedlands.
Marcus and Michele Lemin described to 9News how they initially ordered cranberry juice for their 11 and 12-year-old daughters, Hannah and Olivia. However, when the girls took a sip, they immediately spat it out, claiming that it was “poisoned.” Concerned, Michele decided to taste the drink herself and also spit it out.
Upon smelling the liquid, Marcus confronted the staff at the front counter and demanded to see the bottle from which the solution came. Although initially met with resistance, he eventually obtained a bottle from the fridge. Allegedly, the bottle had the label “plus Bifenthrin” on it, along with a warning.
Immediately, the family contacted the poisons information centre, who advised them to rush their daughters to the Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The girls experienced various symptoms, including burning stomachs and tingling fingers and hands. They were monitored in the hospital for six hours before being discharged.
Marcus has filed complaints with the Health Department and contacted the local council regarding the incident. Miky’s Italian Restaurant has stated that it is currently investigating the matter.
The incident has raised concerns about food safety and the well-being of patrons at restaurants. The Health Department is actively reviewing the restaurant’s hygiene practices and investigating how such a serious mistake occurred.
The Lemin family is urging other parents to be vigilant and carefully check their children’s drinks when dining out. They believe that this incident could have had much more severe consequences and hope that it serves as a wake-up call for improved safety measures in restaurants.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the cause of the mix-up at Miky’s Italian Restaurant in Nedlands.