The owner of a Chinese takeaway in Dudley has been fined after inspectors uncovered a number of serious food hygiene failings.

Dudley Council’s environmental health officers took the case against Panda Paradise in New Street following an inspection in October 2017.

At Dudley magistrates court on January 16 owner Yongjin Zeng, aged 43, pleaded guilty to 7 charges under food safety and hygiene regulations. The court fined Yongjin Zeng a total of £2558 including costs and victim surcharge. The offences included failing to keep the premises and equipment clean and in good repair and condition and failing to ensure the premises were pest free.

The court heard that there was grease and debris to the floors, ceilings and walls were defective and there was grease dripping down the extraction canopy above the wok range. There was damaged equipment including chopping boards, food containers, chest freezers and frying baskets and rat droppings and gnawed packaging were found within the rear store room. Although the company had a food safety management system, which had been completed by a previous owner, it was not being implemented.

Dudley council confirmed the premises has now changed ownership and is due to re-open under a new name. Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member responsible for Communities, said:

"Conditions at this takeaway were poor. While we prefer to work with businesses to secure compliance with the law, we will not hesitate to take legal action against food businesses proprietors who do not take advice on board and who fail to meet legal responsibilities.

"I want to reassure the public that the vast majority of food businesses in the borough are well run and compliant with hygiene and safety rules. More than half of all food outlets in the borough are achieving the top hygiene rating of five, with most achieving a satisfactory rating of three or more.

"You can check out hygiene ratings online as these will give a glimpse of what is going on in kitchens when you eat out, or behind the scenes at places being shopped at."

Dudley Council environmental health officers carry out regular inspections of food premises in the borough to advise food business owners and ensure they meet all food safety and hygiene requirements. Ratings in Dudley can be viewed online at www.dudley.gov.uk/foodsafety or at www.food.gov.uk/ratings