Lewisham Council successfully prosecutes rogue restaurant operator after evidence of mice and cockroaches found

Mr Quoc Vuong Nguyen, formerly the director of Vietnam Street Food Limited, admitted five offences at Bromley Magistrates’ Court under food safety regulations.

The prosecution followed repeated inspections by Lewisham Council’s Food and Safety team, which found the business consistently ignored legal requirements and officers’ warnings.

The court imposed a Hygiene Prohibition Order, banning him from running a food business anywhere in the country.

Vietnam Street Food Limited operated the restaurant Pho Na at 899 Old Kent Road, Lewisham, from April 2023. Inspectors first identified significant hygiene concerns, including poor pest control and a lack of food traceability records. Despite formal warnings and the service of a Hygiene Improvement Notice, conditions at the premises deteriorated.

When officers returned to check compliance, they found evidence of mice in the kitchen. On a subsequent visit, they discovered cockroaches, confirming that the business had failed to take even basic steps to protect customers from risk.

Mr Nguyen pleaded guilty to offences including:

• failing to comply with a Hygiene Improvement Notice
• failing to provide traceability information for products of animal origin
• failing to have effective procedures in place to control pests

A new food business is now operating at the premises under different ownership.

Cabinet Member for Business, Jobs and Skills, Cllr Ese Erheriene, said:

“This prosecution sends a very clear message that we will not tolerate food businesses that show a flagrant disregard for public safety.

“Officers found mice and cockroaches in this restaurant. It was a business that repeatedly ignored both the law and the advice given by our Food and Safety team.

“This acts as a strong deterrent to rogue operators and encourages all food businesses to take their responsibilities seriously – from pest control to keeping proper records of where food is sourced from.

“Our residents deserve reassurance the food they buy is safe to eat, and we will take robust action whenever businesses put customers at risk.”