Two young girls were hospitalized after mistakenly being served toxic drinks instead of juice at a restaurant in Australia. Sisters Hannah, 12, and Olivia Lemin, 11, ordered cranberry juice but were given insect repellent in pink-colored oil form at Miky’s Italian Fusion in Perth. The incident occurred during a family dinner in June 2024.

The girls unknowingly took a sip of the hazardous drink and immediately realized something was amiss, describing the taste as “poisoned.” Following the distressing ordeal, the restaurant faced a substantial £20,000 fine nearly two years later for the dangerous mix-up, as reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The girls’ parents recounted the terrifying experience, with Olivia expressing feelings of fear and discomfort, likening the taste to insect repellent. The father, Marcus Lemin, quickly intervened upon detecting the unusual smell in his daughters’ cups, prompting an investigation that revealed the mislabeling of the drink as old cranberry juice.

The girls were rushed to the hospital, where they received treatment and were eventually discharged after hours of observation. The parents expressed gratitude that their children were not younger, emphasizing the potential severity of the situation if younger children had been affected.

Subsequently, the former owner of the restaurant, Michele Angiuli, faced legal repercussions for selling unsafe food, with Magistrate Donna Webb highlighting the negligence and lack of proper safety measures within the establishment. Despite attempts to shift blame onto a new employee, the court found Angiuli guilty and imposed fines totaling £20,000.

In response to the verdict, the girls’ father emphasized the importance of accountability in the hospitality industry to prevent such incidents from recurring. The court proceedings shed light on the vulnerability of the children involved and the lasting emotional impact of the incident on the families.