'Heavily soiled and unclean' - Part of popular Tipperary food-store forced to close last month

Part of a popular Tipperary food business was forced to shut down last month following an inspection from the HSE which found parts of the premises to be in breach of food safety legislation.

The butcher area of Arsh Bazzar, located at 6 Mary Street, Clonmel, county Tipperary, was ordered to close with immediate effect on March 18, 2026, after an inspector found the business to be in breach of legislation in relation to Cleaning and Sanitation.

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According to legislation, Food premises are to be kept clean and maintained in good repair and condition while all articles, fittings and equipment with which food comes into contact are to: be effectively cleaned and, where necessary, disinfected. Cleaning and disinfection are to take place at a frequency sufficient to avoid any risk of contamination.

Evidence of non-compliance noted by the HSE inspector included:

• There was visible long-standing dirt, for example: extensive accumulation of food debris on floors, particularly along edges, corners and beneath equipment.
• Equipment observed to be heavily soiled and unclean condition.
• Door hinge on walk in coldroom heavily soiled with grease, food debris.
• Door opener on inside of coldroom showed build-up of residue and surface deterioration, preventingcleaning.
• Shelving is heavily contaminated with visible dirt, grease, and stains.
• Fan unit and surrounding surfaces shows visible build-up of dirt, grease including deposits within fan guard.
• The weigh scales control keypad was visibly soiled with food residues and dirt between and on buttons.

Lack of hot water was also noted during the inspection. Legislation states that,

• An adequate number of washbasins is to be available, suitably located and designated for cleaning hands. Washbasins for cleaning hands are to be provided with hot and cold running water, materials for cleaning hands and for hygienic drying. Where necessary, the facilities for washing food are to be separate from the handwashing facility.
• Adequate facilities are to be provided, where necessary, for the cleaning, disinfecting and storage of working utensils and equipment. These facilities are to be constructed of corrosion-resistant materials, be easy to clean and have an adequate supply of hot and cold water."

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Evidence of non-compliance was found as at the commencement of the inspection there was no hot water available at the wash hand basin or the sink used for cleaning equipment. There was also no soap available at the hand-wash basin.

The specific butchers area of Arsh Bazzar was ordered to close on March 18, 2026, with the closure order lifted on March 19, 2026.

You can find more information here.