Chinese restaurant fined £15,000 after mouse droppings found in kitchen

A London Chinese restaurant has been fined £15,000 after mouse droppings were found in its kitchen.

Rong Cheng, based in London’s Shaftesbury Avenue, was immediately closed last March after environmental health officers found the droppings all over equipment, storage surfaces and food. The restaurant was also infected with cockroaches.

Rong Cheng's owner, Mr He Jie Siqiang Wu, admitted to five charges including: failing to keep the premises clean; not having procedures to ensure mice and cockroaches were controlled; failing to ensure cooking equipment was kept clean; failing to ensure store raw materials and ingredients were kept in appropriate conditions; and failing to ensure food is protected against contamination that would make it unfit for human consumption.

Mr Wu was fined £3,000 on each count and ordered to pay £1,531 in costs.

Richard Block, assistant operations manager for Westminster City Council Food Health and Safety team, said: “The size of fine reflects the disgusting state of this restaurant and should serve as a warning to all restaurants that they must keep their premises clean.”

The restaurant has since re-opened following its compliance with health and safety regulations.

Time Out review >> 

By Louse Durack

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