Feces confirmed in gelato

SYDNEY, Oct. 30 (UPI) -- An Australian hotel restaurant where a guest discovered feces in her gelato says its tests indicate the waste did not come from their gelato supply.

The New South Wales Food Authority announced Tuesday that the substance Jessica Whyte spit into her napkin while eating the dark chocolate gelato at the Coogee Bay Hotel in suburban Sydney tested positive for feces, the Sydney Daily Telegram reported Wednesday.

The authority said further tests will be conducted to determine whether the waste came from a human or an animal.

A spokeswoman for the hotel said the restaurant tested its tub of gelato and found no traces of feces, indicating it was added to the dessert during preparation or eating.

"The Coogee Bay Hotel has never disputed the substance the Whytes have held for three weeks could be fecal," the spokeswoman said. "The real question remains -- where did it come from?"

Whyte and her husband Stephen said they remain convinced the feces were planted in the dish by a Coogee Bay staff member.

The Whytes said they complained about the price of the food and the behavior of restaurant staff when they ate there early this month and were given the complimentary dessert.

General Manager Tony Williams said earlier he was "extremely suspicious" of the Whytes' claims.