Two youngsters were rushed to the hospital after mistakenly being served potentially harmful drinks instead of juice at a dining establishment. Sisters Hannah, 12, and Olivia Lemin, 11, had ordered cranberry juice but were given insect repellent in pink-colored oil form at Miky’s Italian Fusion in Perth, Australia, during a family dinner in June 2024.
The girls unknowingly took a sip of the drink, mistaking it for fruit juice, only to realize the taste was off and feared it was poisoned. Nearly two years later, Miky’s Italian Fusion faced a hefty £20,000 fine for the mix-up. Mum Michele Lemin recounted the incident, expressing her daughters’ shock at the taste, which led to concerns about potential poisoning.
The Lemin family’s ordeal continued as the girls experienced stomach pain, tingling sensations, and headaches, prompting a visit to the hospital for treatment and monitoring. The restaurant’s negligence in ensuring food safety measures led to the severe consequences faced by the children.
In court, the former restaurant owner, Michele Angiuli, was found guilty of selling unsafe food due to the bartender’s gross negligence. Despite claims that the incident was beyond the owner’s control, the magistrate determined otherwise, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the emotional distress caused to the victims.
Magistrate Donna Webb highlighted the vulnerability of the children in the case and imposed a significant fine on Angiuli and his company. The girls’ father stressed the importance of accountability in the hospitality industry to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
