Photos released to the Advertiser show disgusting state of Valley View chicken shop run by Xie Tan

Stomach-churning photos have revealed the state of an Adelaide chicken shop, including dead cockroaches and filthy stove tops. See the photos.

Stomach churning photos have revealed the disgusting state of the Valley View Chicken and Seafood shop which has been allowed to continue operating.

The photos released to the Advertiser by the court show dead cockroaches, filthy stove tops and uncovered food after two sets of inspections.

Last week, the Adelaide Magistrates Court was asked to punish Xie Tan as a deterrent to store owners across SA.

Lawyers for Port Adelaide Enfield Council argued a significant fine was the only way to get through to Tan, who failed to clean up his act despite inspections and warnings.

But Magistrate Ben Sale said he wondered whether a financial penalty would not make the situation worse.

“It strikes me he’s not a wealthy man … he’s not driving a Ferrari … he’s not running a high-end, lucrative business,” he said.

“To impose a fine may (stop him) renewing some of the equipment that put the business in this state … would that not be counter-productive?

Tan Xie pleaded guilty to breaching multiple food safety laws at Valley View Chicken and Seafood. Picture: RoyVPhotography

Cheese and other foods were left uncovered. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

Mouldy food was found. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

Metal racks, utensils and surfaces displayed caked-on grime and food build-up. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

“Were I to place him on a bond, that would operate as a suspended fine so that, should he do what he has done in the past, he would find himself having to pay a large monetary amount.”

Tan, 34, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of failing to comply with a requirement of the food standards code.

The charges followed an inspection of the shop by environmental health officers from Port Adelaide Enfield Council on August 28, 2024.

The state of the chicken shop has been shown in photos. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

There were allegations of dirty surfaces and equipment. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

Court documents released to the Advertiser alleged that there were containers of raw chicken stored directly next to an uncovered bowl of prepared coleslaw and salad and boxes of custard powder stored in the pantry with vinegar flies.

It was also alleged the fridge, fryers, drip trays, stove tops, sinks and the back food

preparation area were dirty.

The drip trays were unclean and almost overflowing. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

The stove tops were dirty. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

Dead cockroaches were found during the second inspection. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

Another inspection of the business was conducted on January 20, 2025 and officers “glass fragments and mice faeces under the salad fridge in the front food handling area”.

A packet of pork sausages has an expired use by sticker. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

The case has now been adjourned until July. Photos: Supplied by Courts SA

The documents alleged that during that inspection they found mice faeces under a salad display fridge, dead cockroaches in the dry storage area and live ants on food preparation surfaces.

The inspection also found there were surfaces with accumulated food waste, shelving with glass fragments and old food residue, doors in the back food handling area covered with dirt and the wheels of the chicken oven were covered with grease and food matter.

The council spokesperson previously told the Advertiser they take compliance with food safety standards seriously.

“The business has not been closed and we continue to work with them to improve their food safety standards.”

Tan’s case has been adjourned until July.

Originally published as Photos released to the Advertiser show disgusting state of Valley View chicken shop run by Xie Tan