A SOMERSET food establishment that recently stopped operating as a walk-in restaurant has been given a low food hygiene rating.
Ziangs.com in Minehead, Somerset, has been issued a new food hygiene report since it stopped operating as a restaurant earlier this year.
Now based at a warehouse on Mart Road in Minehead, Ziangs.com was graded a one rating in an inspection by a food safety officer on September 30 2025.
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In the inspection, the business was graded on three main categories, including hygienic food handling, cleanliness and condition of facilities and building, and the management of food safety.
The results of each category are as follows; Hygienic food handling- "Major improvement necessary", Cleanliness and condition of facilities and building- "Very good", and Management of food safety- "Major improvement necessary".
Co-owner Chin Taylor said they aways follow 'strict' food safety guidlines and there was a 'documentation gap' during the inspection but once it was brought to their attention they took 'swift action'.
Operating as 'Ziangs35a', the food establishment was given a 'five' rating, with "very good" mentions across the board, with records showing a top mark of five in 2023.
Owned by Chin and Choo Taylor, Ziangs is described as a 'takeaway with seating' offering people the chance to taste Asia-Pacific street food, from countries including Malaysia, China, and Indonesia.
The business owners have responded to being given a 'one' food hygiene rating at their new location, clarifying that their online operation is a separate business and location from the restaurant, Ziangs 35a.
Somerset food business responds to low food hygiene rating:
ChinTaylor said: "We’d like to clarify that our online operation is a separate business and location from our restaurant, which continues to hold a 5-star food hygiene rating.
"As a small, entrepreneurial business, we’ve always followed strict food safety and hygiene practices.
"However, during the inspection, we were made aware of a documentation gap — specifically, the absence of a written HACCP plan. While our processes and hygiene standards were fully in place, we hadn’t realised that formal documentation was required to evidence this for production and retail operations."
A HACCP plan is a systematic approach to food safety that identifies, evaluates, and controls potential hazards in a food production process. It is a legal requirement for food businesses.
Chin added: "In our restaurant setting, a written HACCP plan is not required in the same way — so as we transitioned into small-scale manufacturing, we weren’t initially aware that the documentation expectations were different.
"As soon as this was brought to our attention, we took immediate action. We’re currently finalising the required documentation and will resume selling our own sauces once everything is complete and verified.
"Our commitment to food safety remains absolute.
"The inspecting EHO has already revisited for a quick progress check and was very impressed with the improvements we’ve made. A full follow-up inspection is due soon, and we’re looking forward to it and are confident we’ll gain our 5-star rating.
"This has been a valuable learning experience, and we hope it helps raise awareness among other small businesses about the importance of understanding the administrative side of compliance, not just the practical standards.
"We remain fully committed to maintaining the highest standards of food safety and would be more than happy to provide you with an update following the review inspection. The inspection was a real learning curve for us.
"We’ve fixed everything and are confident our next rating will reflect our usual high standards."
Ziangs 35a, on The Avenue, Minehead, now sells a frozen ready meal range and has become a pop-up restaurant for events. The last day customers could eat in at Ziangs was on Saturday, May 3.
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