Prosecution for serious food safety breaches
Arun District Council has successfully prosecuted a company called CG PO21 Ltd trading as China Garden, which previously operated from Bognor Regis.
The director Xiang Ming Chen, and manager of the company Min Chen were also prosecuted for serious food safety and hygiene breaches.
The food business, trading under the control of CG PO21 Ltd has since ceased operating. China Garden is now operating under new management and is not affiliated with CG PO21 Ltd, nor Xiang Ming Chen or Min Chen.
The offences were committed by the previous operators of the business between October 2024 and May 2025. The takeaway is now under different ownership and management, and the current operators were not involved in the offences and were not subject to the prosecution.
The company and both individuals pleaded guilty to 27 food safety and hygiene offences. At Brighton Magistrates' Court on 22 June 2026, they were ordered to pay a combined total of £37,000 in fines, victim surcharges and costs.
Environmental Health officers first identified poor standards during a routine inspection in October 2024 and conducted a further seven visits over the following months. Despite receiving food safety training, translated guidance and repeated advice, standards continued to deteriorate.
A total of nine Improvement Notices were served. Food and surface testing repeatedly produced poor results, revealing the presence of potentially harmful bacteria.
Environmental Health officers also intervened to secure two voluntary closures, one in April 2024, due to pest infestation and the other in December 2024, for lack of hot water, preventing good personal hygiene and effective cleaning.
Chair of the Environment Committee, Councillor Amanda Worne said:
"The council is committed to supporting businesses through advice and guidance But when serious food safety failings pose a risk to public health and are not addressed, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
“In this case, the standards found were wholly unacceptable and demonstrated a disregard for food safety responsibilities. We hope this prosecution sends a clear message that such breaches will not be tolerated, as the safety and wellbeing of our residents will always come first.”