New Castle Chinese buffet closed after inspector finds rodent droppings in food bins

A Chinese buffet in New Castle's Penn Mart Shopping Center was closed by the health department after an inspector found rodent droppings throughout the restaurant, including on the edge of rice cookers and inside flour, salt and sugar bins.

Following a routine inspection, Hong Kong Chinese Buffet was shut down March 25 by the state Division of Public Health due to "imminent health hazards and gross unsanitary" conditions, according to the report.

The restaurant also has not paid for a food permit since June 2017.

A man who answered the phone at Hong Kong Chinese Buffet on Wednesday afternoon said the restaurant should reopen on Thursday.

A health official found pork, chicken and shrimp meat at incorrect temperatures. The inspector saw cross-contamination of raw eggs stored on top of broccoli inside a bain-marie and employees not washing hands when "switching between ready-to-eat and raw food," the report said. A bain-marie is a piece of kitchen equipment often used as a hot water bath to cook food.

Kitchen utensils and rice cookers were not clean and items in the refrigeration units were not marked with dates, the official noted. Mold was seen in the walk-in refrigerator.

The inspector wrote in the report that there was a "saturation of fruit flies" inside the food prep sink. Rodent droppings also were seen under the dry storage rack and the sink.

To reopen, the restaurant needs to be "clean top to bottom," the report said. The food permit also needs to be paid before opening and the restaurant needs to establish a contract with pest control services. At minimum, pest services need to occur at least twice a month. 

At least 15 food establishments have been ordered closed by the state in 2019. This includes the bar of Bowlero near Prices Corner, China Taste in Milford and Tasti Thai in New Castle. The businesses have reopened.

Customers who want to anonymously report unsanitary conditions at Delaware food establishments and restaurants can call a consumer complaint hotline at 302-744-4736. Inspectors follow up on complaints.

MORE CLOSINGS

State: Bowling alley's bar area closed due to 'paper towels with fecal matter' on floor

Tasti Thai closed again by state health department for roach infestation

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 324-2386 or mnewman@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @MereNewman. Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or ptalorico@delawareonline.com and on Twitter @pattytalorico.