A shocked mother has been threatened with hefty fines by Brisbane City Council over her children’s “unlicensed” cupcake and lemonade stand.
Kelly Stothard received an email from council on Monday telling her there had been a complaint about “food being manufactured and sold” from her Stafford Heights property without a food business licence.
Council told her they had investigated the complaint, and gave her 24 hours to submit a food business licence application, accusing her of committing an offence under the Food Act punishable by “an on-the-spot fine or prosecution”.
Ms Stothard told ABC News she could not believe that the kids’ stall had resulted in a complaint.
“Back in the 80s and 90s kids used to be out all the time doing door-knocking sales, playing out on the street, but these days they’re inside on tablets. I support the kids when they want to get outside and do things and earn a bit of extra pocket money,” she said.
Her son Kaden said the cupcake stand was joint idea by several kids in the neighbourhood, and that he “feel a bit bad that we go dobbed in”.
“We’re not going anything wrong,” he said.
When asked about the fines on 612 ABC Brisbane radio, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council would not pursue the complaint, and said it was made by an anonymous resident.
“Technically by the letter of the law, you can’t just do that, but my view is – c’mon, let’s not complain about kids selling cupcakes,” he said.
“The state government does set the rules when it comes to food safety. Yes, those rules exist for a reason, but in this case, let’s not go over the top in terms of a response. I’m not suggesting people break the law, but the reality is we’ve got to have a bit of flexibility here.”
Header image: The cupcake and lemonade stand (supplied).
