Honestly, this is the kind of news that makes you stop for a second—especially if you’ve ever ordered from Swadesh Indian Restaurant in Baldivis. So, here’s what happened. Health officers from the City of Rockingham visited the restaurant in December 2022 and then again in January 2023. And what they found? Not good at all.
The kitchen was in bad shape. There was old food waste lying around, dirty equipment, greasy floors, and even mouldy areas. They also noticed food wasn’t stored properly and staff weren’t using handwashing sinks the right way. It wasn’t just one or two issues—it was a bunch of them. The city took the matter seriously and took the restaurant to court.
The Fine and What It Means
Swadesh Indian Restaurant ended up getting slapped with a $40,000 fine. On top of that, they had to pay over $24,000 in legal costs. That’s a total of more than $64,000, which is a pretty big hit for any local food business.
What’s even more surprising is that this place had a decent amount of positive reviews online. People had good things to say about the food. But it just goes to show that what’s happening in the kitchen isn’t always what customers see. When the case went to court, the magistrate didn’t hold back—calling the conditions filthy and unacceptable.
Why This Matters for Everyone
If you’re someone who eats out or orders takeaway, this kind of story really makes you think. You trust that the food you’re eating is being made in a clean place. But honestly, situations like this show how important it is for health checks to happen often.
It also shows that even popular restaurants aren’t above the rules. Hygiene and food safety have to come first. One bad kitchen can make people seriously sick. The City of Rockingham made an example out of Swadesh, probably hoping other places will take notice and keep their standards up.
