Restaurant owner guilty

The owner of a west Auckland restaurant forced to close in May because of an infestation of mice has been found guilty and fined.

Waitakere City Council staff carried out a routine inspection of Hobsonville’s Sanjang restaurant earlier this year and were shocked to discover a serious rodent problem among dirty, unhygienic conditions.

"The officer determined there was a risk of food contamination and required the premises to close," council contract solicitor David Collins says.

"The owner contracted a registered pest control firm who treated the property the same day and initiated a thorough clean of the premises. The premises were allowed to reopen with an E grading the following day after re-inspection."

The owner of the Upper Harbour Drive establishment, Kwan Sik Kim, pled guilty and has now been prosecuted and fined $1750, plus $356 in costs.

Council environmental compliance spokesman Alan Ahmu says the restaurant was only allowed to reopen after it was thoroughly cleaned and had to display an E grade for the next two months.

Mr Ahmu says Sanjang has just passed a reinspection and is now B grade.

- © Fairfax NZ News