Cockroaches and rodent droppings result in Closure Orders being served on food businesses

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that Environmental Health Officers with the HSE served eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order on food businesses across the country during the month of August for breaches of food safety regulations.

In its latest report, it has cited some of the reasons why enforcement proceedings were initiated.

In one case, there was an active cockroach infestation where live and dead cockroaches were visible on the floor, sink, water tank, behind freezers and inside a standing freezer where food was prepared. 

In other cases, the FSAI says orders were issued due to a variety of cleaning issues some of which involved the cooking and preparation of raw beef and chicken, as well as the presence of rodent droppings and "inadequate pest proofing."

Commenting on the list of Closure Orders, which was published on Wednesday, Chief Executive of the FSAI Greg Dempsey said: "It is disappointing to see the same issues, such as poor hygiene and pest control problems, being identified each month."

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He added: "Businesses selling food to consumers need to ensure that they met their legal obligations, and that the food they sell is safe to eat. While the majority of food businesses take their responsibilities to their customers very seriously, we continue to see a small number of businesses subject to enforcement action, including closure, due to their non-compliances with basic food safety standards.

"The FSAI provides assistance and training resources, but will, with our colleagues in the National Environmental Health Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, take action against these operators as necessary to protect consumers, and to retain the public’s confidence in the food system."

Mr Dempsey concluded: "We also have an online complaint process at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter, where consumers can report inappropriate and unsafe food and practices, which can result in enforcement action being taken. This is an essential component of the food system and it supports the work of the food inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and quality across the food chain."

Within the list of premises issued orders in August, two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Bk Foods Limited (Wholesaler/Distributor) in Clongorey, Newbridge, Kildare and Paulista (Take Away) on 121 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1.

Six Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on the following premises:

• Prime Pizza & Kebab (Take Away), 281 Hyde Road, Limerick
• McDonalds Restaurant (Closed area: storage unit at the side of the premises), The Waterfront, Rathmullen Road, Drogheda, Louth
• Wau Asian Cuisine Limited (Closed activity: The preparation and sale (including onsite, takeaway and internet sale) of sushi) (Restaurant/Café), Bridge Street, Trim, Meath
• Super Chef Takeaway, Unit 5, Ashbourne Court, Bridge Street, Ashbourne, Meath
• Burger Smash (Take Away), 4 Langford Street, Killorglin, Kerry
• Small Chops & More (Service Sector), The Courtyard, Baker Hall, Navan, Meath

One Prohibition Order was served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Chillers Restaurant and Lounge in the Liffey Valley Complex, Unit 1, Fonthill Road, Clondalkin, Dublin.

Four of the eight Closure Orders have since been lifted while, as of this Wednesday, the Prohibition Order remains in place

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website - fsai.ie.