Eatery's health risk fines hit $17Gs

By PAMELA ROTH, QMI Agency
November 27, 2010 Toronto Sun

EDMONTON - Long Po Wong was warned by provincial health inspectors to clean up the kitchen of his southwest Chinese food restaurant or pay the consequences. 

But even after formal charges were laid against him and his business in August, Wong continued to break health violations, which resulted in more than $17,000 in fines in provincial court on Friday 

"These kind of violations put people's health at risk," said Judge Robert Philp, who referred to the violations as 'serious matters.' 

According to Crown Prosecutor Robert O'Neill, Tasty World Restaurant was established in 2001, but caught the attention of health inspectors in January 2006 during a routine inspection. 

During the course of more than four years, health inspectors visited the restaurant on nearly two dozen occasions, finding various repeat violations despite education being provided to Wong. 

O'Neill said those violations ranged from contamination of food and sanitary issues, food handling and storage, to the cleanliness of equipment, utensils, food surfaces and employees hands. 

Inspectors snapped photos of raw beef stored uncovered, floors caked in grease and dirty chopping blocks, and found dirty utensils stored with clean ones. 

Some inspections were conducted as a result of suspected food-borne illnesses by patrons. 

Even after a warning letter was sent in March 2010, health inspectors still found numerous violations and eventually laid charges in August. 

Recent follow up inspections showed the same problems occurring despite the charges, added O'Neill. 

"The health department has been more than patient with Mr. Wong," said O'Neill. "It's your obligation as an owner to go and find out what the rules and regulations are and comply with them at all times." 

Wong pleaded guilty to a string of charges under the Public Health Act against him and his business. 

Defence lawyer Peter Loong said the whole ordeal has been an eye opener for Wong, who has owned several restaurants during his 29 years in Canada. 

Wong told the court "I wish I could do better."

pamela.roth@sunmedia.ca