Takeaway fined

A couple who ran a filthy Chinese takeaway in Newcastle were fined thousands of pounds.
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Dirty lidless cans of liquid next to white powder

Hygiene levels were so poor at Spicy China in Westerhope that it was dropped by the delivery firm Just Eat. 

Chopping boards were stored behind sinks, and raw meat was stored in containers with no labels. Fridge door seals were dirty, storage beneath units was chaotic and shelves were lined with cardboard.

Dangerously stored food presented a risk of cross contamination and ingredients which contained allergens were stored next to other ingredients. Pipework, floors, and staff clothing were grubby while one wore a woolly jumper while cooking. A hair was found on food containers and a vent was missing from a ventilation canopy.

Environmental health officers who visited the premises on Redburn Road, over several years found food storage and handling below legal levels. Newcastle magistrates heard that things came to a head when standards were found to have deteriorated during a routine inspection in September 2023.

The business owned by Wong & Wong Ltd was ran by company directors, husband and wife Mr Chi Kong Wong and Mrs Kwan Yuk Wong of Carlisle Way, Holystone, North Tyneside. 

They did not have in place, implement, and maintain a permanent procedure or procedures based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point, and both pleaded guilty to failing to comply with the Food Safety and Hygiene Regulations 2013.

Each was fined £1,200 (reduced to £900 for guilty pleas) ordered to pay £320 in a victim surcharge, £871 costs and £85 legal costs making a total of £2,176 each.

In mitigation, the court heard Mrs Wong had operated takeaways for 30 years without any problems with food enforcement and was disappointed to find herself in this situation.

The company had worked with the council to try and keep things satisfactory, but standards had slipped. 

During 2023 Mrs Wong’s mother became unwell and she had to return to Hong King. While she was away standards dropped. Just Eat stopped delivering their takeaways and customers deserted the business forcing it to close in September last year.

The premises closed and is now run and registered as a new business with new Food Business Operators.

Deputy leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Alex Hay, who has responsibility for regulatory services, said: “This was a takeaway operating with scant regard for the regulations that keep people safe. 

“In Newcastle we expect high standards from those involved in handling and selling food. We work closely with businesses inspecting premises and giving advice on hygiene but when that advice is ignored, we have sufficient powers to prosecute which we don’t hesitate to do.

“The public expect their food to be of the highest quality and prepared in a clean and safe environment. This prosecution should send a strong message to anyone involved in the handling and preparation of food that we will take action against them if they put the public at risk.”