大象传媒

The Peking Boat Chinese Takeaway in Sidcup had a history of poor food hygiene according to the Bexley's Food Safety Team.

A routine inspection in November 2007 found Mrs Joyce Poon's premises had "poor standards of kitchen cleanliness" and "very poor storage of food."

'Rat and Mice infestation'

The kitchen of the Sidcup eatery had a 'rat and mice infestation' that could have resulted in a 'gross contamination of cooked foods.'

The Takeaway was ordered to close and was given five days to rectify the standards of cleanliness.

However, it wasn't the first time the Peking Boat has had problems with hygiene, it closed voluntarily in 2006 for a 'cockroach infestation.'

Filthy floor at Peking Boat, 2007

Contamination

It took nearly a year for the case to come to Magistrates - but, the owner pleaded guilty to all charges at the hearing brought against her by the London Borough of Bexley.

The legal charges included a failure to keep a food business clean, failure to maintain a food safety management system and failure to protect food against contamination.

The owner was fined 拢1,600 and ordered to pay 拢800 costs and a further 拢15 victim surcharge.

'Swift and appropriate action'

Cllr Gareth Bacon, who looks after environmental issues for Bexley said: "If we find companies are not following the correct procedures to ensure the safety of people in Bexley, we will take swift and appropriate action."

In a further statement from the council, Bexley said: "the Peking Boat was allowed to reopen when we were satisfied that it no longer posed a risk to public health."

"We were most disappointed that the owner of the Peking Boat had let her food safety standards drop to such an extent that we felt that a prosecution was required, but are pleased to state that she is now taking food safety standards very seriously and conditions within the business have vastly improved."