Chinese takeaway fined for food hygiene breaches

21/05/26

A Chinese takeaway found to be defrosting chicken in a sink and storing food at room temperature in buckets on the floor has been ordered to pay a total of more than £7,500 for food hygiene offences.

Mr Lin Xing pleaded guilty to charges at a hearing at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday, and must now pay a total of £7,509: including a fine of £3,684, surcharge of £1,473 and costs of £2,352, following a food hygiene inspection at The Mandarin, Stowmarket Road, Old Newton last October.

Mid Suffolk District Council inspectors found a lack of handwashing facilities or effective food safety management system, as well as inadequate cleaning and repairs of the building and equipment.

Inspectors noted a catalogue of concerns, including chicken defrosting in a sink of water, a blocked hand basin, food handlers not wearing protective overclothing, food stored at room temperature, stagnant water and food debris in a wok burner, as well as dust, debris and cobwebs on kitchen surfaces.

Cllr Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing at Mid Suffolk District Council, said:

“Our officers work hard to keep the public safe when purchasing food or eating out, supporting our food businesses with advice and guidance to improve standards, with prosecution only ever being the last resort.

In this case, magistrates took into account the premises’ poor track record and limited improvements in standards when inspectors revisited. This sentence shows the importance of food hygiene and ensures our communities are protected and can make informed decisions when choosing to purchase food or eat out in our district.”

Images of hygiene breaches including stagnant water, chicken defrosting in sink and equipment in poor condition