A Newcastle takeaway was fined after failing food safety checks, leading to its closure. The owners faced hefty penalties for poor hygiene practices.
Newcastle: A couple ran a dirty Chinese takeaway that got shut down last September. They were fined thousands for not following food safety rules.
The takeaway, named Spicy China, was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Wong. They had some serious hygiene issues that led to Just Eat dropping them.
Chopping boards were found behind sinks, and raw meat was stored without labels. The fridge seals were filthy, and the storage area was a mess.
Food was stored in a way that could cause cross-contamination. Allergens were kept next to other ingredients, which is a big no-no. They even found hair on food containers!
Environmental health officers had been checking the place for years. They found the food handling was way below legal standards during a routine inspection in September 2023.
Mr. and Mrs. Wong didn’t have proper procedures in place to ensure food safety. They both pleaded guilty to breaking food safety laws and were fined £1,200 each.
After some reductions for their guilty pleas, they ended up paying a total of £2,176 each. Mrs. Wong had run takeaways for 30 years without issues, so this was a big disappointment for her.
They had tried to work with Newcastle City Council to improve things, but standards slipped. Mrs. Wong had to go to Hong Kong when her mother got sick, and that’s when things went downhill.
Just Eat stopped delivering their food, and customers left, leading to the closure. Now, a new business operates at the same location.
Coun Alex Hay from Newcastle City Council said this takeaway showed little regard for safety regulations. He emphasized that high standards are expected in food handling.
He added that they work closely with businesses to ensure hygiene but will take action if advice is ignored. This case should remind everyone in the food industry to keep the public safe.
