Chinese Takeaway - You Want Mice With Your Noodles?

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A Chinese takeaway in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex could face criminal charges after live mice were discovered in its noodles.

Following a routine inspection, health inspectors found two dead mice (rotting under freezers) and mouse droppings throughout the "Dragon Palace" takeaway.

The live mice were found in a chewed box of dried noodles kept in the store room.

In addition to the mice, inspectors discovered that the staff were not washing their hands or using anti-bacterial cleaning fluids.

A food officer for the Council said "Mice pass on harmful bacteria when gnawing food and also urinate very regularly so work surfaces and the hands of staff become contaminated....Bacteria therefore will pass from the insides of mice to the insides of humans which clearly is an unacceptable risk to public health."

Magistrates have ruled that the shop must close until it meets Council hygiene standards, but with this sort of publicity, they are unlikely to get very much business if they do open again.

Whilst the hygiene levels in many establishments of this kind may leave a lot to be desired, Chinese takeaways have often been at the receiving end of jokes about the food they supply and comedians frequently comment that you won't find many stray cats around such places (does anyone really know what cat tastes like?).

Personally, I like Chinese food and try to put these humourous comments to the back of my mind. However, I guess I shall be one of the many who will be giving the "Dragon Palace" a miss when I next pass through Westcliff-on-Sea.