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Greater Manchester takeaway fined and charged for ‘disgusting’ food hygiene safety breaches
Cooking equipment and kitchen appliances were found to be covered in dirt and grease
New photos have shown the massive food hygiene safety breaches found in a Wigan takeaway, which has since been fined and charged for its negligence.
Accusations of serious failings had been levelled against The Rice Bowl on Ormskirk Road, Newtown and a man connected with the business by Wigan Council.
This came after photographs of the takeaways interior revealed unrefrigerated prawns on the counter, piles of raw chicken sat uncovered in the sink and filthy worktop and cooking surfaces.
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Other charges against the business were in regards to food that had been stored in containers previously used for raw meat and the kitchen ceiling being covered in plastic bags.
There were also issues with regard to staff training, the food preparation areas, the hygiene of kitchen items and the business’ blatant lack of a food management plan, prosecutors also outlined.
One charge read: “Floor surfaces under all work benches, cooking ranges and fridges were covered in extensive dirt, food debris and grease, the storage bins, chipper, open food containers and fridge handles were dirty with food debris and grease, and the heated cabinet, wok range, utensil containers and open food containers were covered in food debris.”
Another said that the business ‘failed to ensure food was protected against contamination likely to render the food unfit for human consumption, injuries to health, or contaminated in such a way that it would be unreasonable to expect it to be consumed in that state’.
Wigan Council
Wigan Council
The charge read: “In particular there was uncovered raw chicken in the sink, food was stored directly on the yard floor surface, and open containers of food were stored in the kitchen on shelves very close to the wash basin where it could be splashed when staff washed their hands.”
Guilty pleas were entered to twenty-six charges after three visits to the business by food officers in November 2019 and April 2020. There were a further twenty-four charges of failing to comply with EU provisions concerning food safety and hygiene.
The Rice Bowl itself faced a fine of £1,008, and the man connected to the takeaway, Wen Lin, pleaded guilty to the thirteen charges levelled against both him and LCC Food Limited at Wigan Magistrates’ Court.
He was also ordered to pay costs, a victim surcharge and a fine totalling £3,816.