A popular acai cafe has been given the green light to reopen after 45 customers reportedly fell ill with food poisoning.
Blue Lemon Acai in Wahroonga, on Sydney’s north shore, was forced to close on September 20 when health authorities issued a prohibition order.
The New South Wales Food Authority received several complaints from people who said they suffered symptoms of food poisoning after eating acai-based desserts in the cafe.
That ban order was lifted at 8 pm Friday night and business is expected to return to normal on Saturday.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development said they had carried out another inspection of the business on Friday, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Samples taken from the store by authorities came back clear, although it is understood NSW Health is continuing to test other clinical samples to find the cause of the reported outbreak.
About 45 people reportedly fell ill with food poisoning, three of whom had to be hospitalized.
At the time, the cafe’s owners said they were taking the complaints seriously.
Blue Lemon Acai in Wahroonga, on Sydney’s north shore, was forced to close on September 20 when health authorities issued a prohibition order.
“We have been operating in Wahroonga for 10 years and are very proud to serve our friends and the local community the healthy products we lovingly make every day,” they said in a statement.
“We are devastated by the news of people becoming ill and have undertaken a full review of the situation, including our suppliers.”
The owners said they were aware of about 16 complaints, although some of them appeared to come from fake accounts.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the government had been aware of 45 reports of suspected food poisoning.
“In the interest of public safety, my department has issued a prohibition order through the New South Wales Food Authority at the Blue Lemon Acai business located in Wahroonga,” Moriarty said in a statement.
‘(This) follows a large number of complaints from customers alleging symptoms of foodborne illness after consuming acai-based frozen desserts.
“The order was implemented to reduce any additional impacts on public health and will close the facility until further notice.”
Acai is made from powdered acai berries native to Brazil that are mixed with frozen fruits, often bananas and blueberries, to form an ice cream-like desert.
Acai is made from berries native to Brazil that are powdered and mixed with frozen fruit to make a dessert similar to ice cream but “healthier” (file image)