Chinese takeaway fined over hygiene levels

Hygiene levels at a Chinese takeaway were so poor it was fined thousands of pounds.

Spicy China, in Westerhope, Newcastle, stored food "dangerously" with risk of cross-contamination and ingredients, which contained allergens, were being kept next to others, according to an environmental health inspection in 2023.

Husband and wife Chi Kong Wong and Kwan Yuk Wong, who run Wong & Wong Ltd, were fined £2,176 each after pleading guilty to failing to comply with food safety and hygiene regulations at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.

The takeaway was forced to close in September after Just Eat stopped delivering its food.

The court heard Mrs Wong had operated takeaways for 30 years without any problems with food enforcement. However, standards had dropped during 2023 when her mother became unwell and she had to return to Hong Kong.

Environmental health officers who visited the premises in Redburn Road found raw meat stored in containers with no labels, dirty fridge seals and grubby staff clothing.

A hair was found on food containers and a vent was missing from a ventilation canopy.

The company had worked with Newcastle City Council on its food safety standards, but they were found to have deteriorated during the September 2023 inspection.

Deputy council leader Alex Hay said the takeaway had "scant regard for the regulations that keep people safe".

"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," he said.

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