Victim of food poisoning 'I lost a week of my life'

Mother of 5 Karen Macaulay brought an $8 sushi lunch from a suburban food court that saw her rushed to hospital and put on a drip for 5 days.

"I felt like I was going to die" she says.

"I was so sick I didn't want to see anyone, including my husband and children" she said in the victim impact statement tendered in court. "The pain and suffering that I have endured is outrageous. I should be able to buy my lunch and not get poisoned."

Mrs Macauley was one of dozens struck down after eating tainted food from Sushiman Box Hill in January last year.

Victim 'Nicole', 18, claims her existing health problems were made much worse by food poisoning that put her in intensive care. The student, who didn't want to be named, said in her statement that she had to have speech therapy, physiotherapy, and hand therapy to regain good health, and now relied on her mother for bathing, transport and most other needs.

Unlucky diner 'Margret' (not her real name) was laid low for up to a month after the vomiting stopped. She was barely able to eat anything but yoghurt, frozen berries and white bread, and was exhausted even by a walk to the clothes line.

"I used to enjoy going to Japanese restaurants... but I will probably never eat Japanese food again" she said.

She remains alarmed by evidence in the court case against Sushiman Box Hill that the premises had only one staff member trained in food handling, who was away during the outbreak.

"Surely everyone who is handling food or running a food business should have a minimum level of education about food safety and handling" she said. "What sort of qualifications do the people who run these businesses really have?"

Below is the Hearld Sun's Tips for Safe Dining... You don't want this to happen to you.

From: The Herald Sun 13th January 2012