Hygiene concerns about Chinese takeaway

Aug 19 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

ENVIRONMENTAL health officers from West Lothian Council have been forced into emergency action to close a Chinese takeaway afer it left them with a sour taste.

The hygiene standards at Ying’s, 19A Main Street, Deans, Livingston were so bad that they provided a ‘significant danger’ to public health.

It is the second time in only six months that officers have closed the business. It was previously closed in March 2010 while being operated by a different business owner.

The council’s environmental health officers visited the takeaway on August 11 as part of their on-going monitoring of the business when they discovered that the owner had changed, and that hygiene standards had deteriorated to a dangerous level.

They found a serious risk of food contamination, poor standards of cleaning and disinfection, and concerns about other hygiene standards. A notice was served to close the premises immediately.

Craig Smith, the council’s Principal Environmental Health Officer, said: “There is simply no excuse for poor hygiene standards. The disgraceful hygiene standards at this takeaway put the public at serious risk of illness.

“The failure of any business to ensure they meet basic hygiene standards required to keep food safe and not harm their customers is a very real concern for the council and we will continue to do all we can to prevent these incidents.”

Executive councillor for the Environment, Robert De Bold, added: “This case highlights the difficult task faced by officers in controlling premises.

“A lot of work and enforcement had to be carried out with the previous owner to ensure the business operated better. Now a new owner arrives without registering and we are back to square one.”

The business will remain closed until officers are satisfied that the significant issues are resolved. A report is also being prepared for the Procurator Fiscal.