Boss of Taste of China in Heckmondwike is sentenced

Jian Wang, 53, of Market Street in Heckmondwike is the food business operator of Taste of China at the same address and was sentenced at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court on February 5.

On the same date, he pleaded guilty to five counts of contravening/failing to comply with EU provisions concerning food safety and hygiene.

Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Google Street View)

The court ordered Wang to pay £2,609.54 in total, which included a £1,000 fine, a surcharge of £400 to fund victim services and £1,209.54 in costs.

A spokesperson for Kirklees Council, which brought the prosecution to court, said “the premises has a poor history of compliance and Mr Wang had signed a caution previously admitting to similar offences”.

They added that records showed this non-compliance dated back to 2018.

Environmental Health Officers (EHO) visited the takeaway on January 24 last year and found “dirty conditions, which included the structure, floor and surfaces, and equipment”.

There were issues with cross-contamination, with a container of cooked rice touching a box of raw prawns on the sink drainer.

Rice and prawns at Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

A small number of rat droppings were also found behind a chest freezer in the cellar and there were several dead and live flies in the cellar, where freezers and food packaging were stored at the time of the visit, Kirklees Council said.

Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

Officers revisited the premises on February 16 and found cooked food and ready-to-eat prawn crackers stored in greasy cardboard boxes.

Food at Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

Prawn crackers at Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

One photo of the premises shows what looks to be a dead fish in a bowl of water in a sink.

A fish in a bowl at Taste of China, in Heckmondwike (Image: Kirklees Council)

A spokesperson for Kirklees Council said: “Previous inspections carried out by inspectors indicated that similar issues had been raised with regard to cleaning, cross-contamination, and incompletion of a written food safety management system.”

They added that the local authority’s EH officers had made “repeated efforts” to try to support Wang in making the improvements needed to run his business in line with food safety regulations.

Wang cited health reasons in mitigation.

The Telegraph & Argus has contacted Taste of China for comment but is yet to receive a response.

Councillor Aafaq Butt, cabinet member for culture and greener Kirklees, said: “Despite the best efforts of our committed Environmental Health Officers, unfortunately, Mr Wang has failed to follow the professional advice given to him and has continued to put the safety of his customers’ health at risk.

“We take a supportive approach to help businesses follow Environment Health regulations across Kirklees, and we are here to help and guide those who want to engage with us.

“I hope that this prosecution serves as a warning to those breaching the law that we will not tolerate health and safety breaches which put our residents at risk.”

Any business owners who need advice or support with food safety can email: food.safety@kirklees.gov.uk

Or telephone: 01484 221000.