A GRUBBY Chinese takeaway was today fined £6,000 for a string of food hygiene offences.Mouldy food in the fridge seal, grease and hair on the floor of the chiller room and encrusted food debris on the kitchen floor were just some of the sights environmental health inspectors saw following a spot check at the Oriental Fountain Chinese Restaurant (OFCR Ltd), in Station Road West, Stowmarket, last year.

A GRUBBY Chinese takeaway was today fined £6,000 for a string of food hygiene offences.

Mouldy food in the fridge seal, grease and hair on the floor of the chiller room and encrusted food debris on the kitchen floor were just some of the sights environmental health inspectors saw following a spot check at the Oriental Fountain Chinese Restaurant (OFCR Ltd), in Station Road West, Stowmarket, last year.

Representing OFCR William Jackson entered guilty pleas on behalf of the company for four offences which contravened the food safety regulation act 1995 at today's hearing at Bury St Edmunds Magistrates' Court.

Representing Mid Suffolk District Council, who brought the private prosecution, Andrew Smith, said that following the unannounced visit to the premises on August 15, 2002, environmental health officers reported that the company had failed to keep the place clean and in good repair.

He added that they had failed to maintain the floor surface clean, that the cooker, fridge and freezer were not kept clean and food being prepared was not protected from contamination.

In sentencing the chairwoman of the Bench said that all the offences were serious, the equipment had not been properly maintained and the company failed to have a proper cleaning regime in place.

The bench said they had taken into account the early guilty plea and an improved inspection report which was carried out by officers in February this year.

OFCR Limited was fined £1,500 for each of the four offences and ordered to pay costs of £150.