Rodents found in noodles after horror inspection at Chinese takeaway

This shocking image was taken by hygiene inspectors who found a kitchen infested with mice including a family of the rodents nesting in a box of dried noodles.
The Dragon Palace Chinese restaurant in Westcliff, Essex, was also littered with decomposing bodies of mice, mouse droppings and congealed grease covering the ceilings.
Inspectors found that the owner, Kun Zhang, had made five breaches of hygiene rules which included cooked food being kept in boxes that had previously contained raw chicken.

Zhang, 45, of High Street Canvey, Essex, cried as the list of breaches were read out at Southend Magistrates' Court yesterday where she was fined £3,000.
Sentencing magistrate, Martin Everett said: 'This was a very serious matter. We have heard evidence and seen pictures of very serious contaminations in the Dragon Palace.
'We feel this did expose the public to significant, serious risks.'

Southend Council officers came across the catalogue of filth during a routine inspection of the takeaway in November 2010.
Magistrates were told that little effort had been made to regularly clean the kitchen and not one member of staff washed their hands during the hour long inspection despite handling both cooked and raw meat.
Prosecutor Tessa O'Connell said there had been an 'immense potential' for contamination and for bacteria such as salmonella to thrive.
Zhang also owns a restaurant in Canvey, but that was deemed 'satisfactory' by inspectors.

The Dragon Palace was closed down immediately after the inspection and has not reopened.
Hao Chen, Zhang's business partner, was due to be charged with the hygiene breaches has now fled to China.
In addition to the £3,000 fine, Zhang was ordered to pay £500 costs and £15 victim surcharge.




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