The bosses of a takeaway in Lye have been ordered to pay costs and fines of more than £1,700 after inspectors discovered a string of hygiene problems including failing to clean walls and floors.

Dudley Council environmental health officers carried out an inspection of Dragon-i in High Street, Lye, in May last year and found that floors and walls were not clean and maintained in good condition.

Damaged equipment such as chopping boards, frying baskets, a sieve and food containers were being used in a condition likely to contaminate food. The company had not adequately assessed and dealt with food safety hazards at the takeaway, which had received a hygiene rating of only one out of five at the inspection.

Owners, V. City Limited, pleaded guilty to eight offences under the food hygiene regulations at Dudley Magistrates Court on June 23rd.

A director of V.City Limited, Mr He, apologised to the court and advised that the company no longer ran the business. Magistrates imposed a fine of £800 and ordered the company to pay costs of £961 and a victim surcharge of £20.

Dudley Council confirmed after the case that the business now had a new owner and had recently received a satisfactory hygiene rating of three out of five. Councillor Rachel Harris, cabinet member responsible for health, said:

“Whilst we prefer to work with businesses to secure compliance with the law, we will not hesitate to take legal action against the minority of food businesses who do not take our advice on board and who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.

“Nearly half of all food outlets in the borough are achieving the top hygiene rating of five and the vast majority achieve a satisfactory rating of three or more. When planning a meal out, if you look at the online hygiene ratings, you get a glimpse of what is going on in the kitchen and get an idea of what is behind the scenes at the places where you shop.”

Dudley Council environmental health officers carry out regular inspections of food premises in the borough to advise food business owners and ensure they meet all food safety and hygiene requirements. Ratings in Dudley can be viewed online at food.gov.uk/ratings.