Owner of ‘filthy’ takeaway hit by £17,000 bill for food hygiene offences

Environmental health officers visited Welcome Chinese Takeaway in Southgate, Elland, in April and discovered serious food hygiene and safety offences, including filthy equipment and surfaces in the kitchen and equipment and fittings in disrepair.

Calderdale Council had warned the takeaway owner, Tu Yung Chan, about similar issues at previous inspections, and advised her numerous times on how to run her business safely.

She was cautioned in July 2011 for food hygiene offences but “showed continued disregard for public health”, the local authority said.

She pleaded guilty at Halifax Magistrates’ Court to eight offences and was fined £16,000 plus costs of £1,315 along with a £120 victim surcharge – a total of £17,435.

The council’s head of housing, environment and renewal, Mark Thompson, said: “We work hard to give Calderdale businesses the direction and information they need to comply with food hygiene and safety requirements.

“We take breaches of hygiene standards very seriously and will not hesitate to take action if we find any areas of concern.

“In this case, we took legal action against a persistent offender who had put people’s health at risk. We will continue to monitor the takeaway.”