FSAI: 23 enforcement orders on Irish food businesses in November
A record number of busineesses were served closure oredrs by the FSAI in November, highlighting the lack of basic hygiene many Irish bsuinesses continue to display despite the rubust EU regulations that are in placce.
Print10 December 2019
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has revealed that November saw the highest number of closure orders on Irish food businesses in one month since legislation was introduced in 1998. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and veterinary inspectors in the local authorities. During the month, 21 closure order and two prohibition orders were served on businesses due to breaches of the FSAI act, 1998 and the EC (Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2010.
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in November include: Evidence of rats in a premises; a dead mouse found in a trap in a kitchen; the presence of mouse droppings in bar area; substantial pigeon faeces present on the wash basin in a food packing area, paper towel dispenser, container of honey and shelving unit; a live rodent was observed running in the direction of the food storage and equipment washing area; evidence of cockroaches was found throughout a kitchen; dead cockroaches were found behind a service fridge, staff toilet, beside the grease trap and in a container holding bottles of sauces; raw chicken and raw chicken juices directly contaminating ready-to-eat foods.
Some businesses were found too be in failure of existing improvement notices; excessive build-up of dirt and food residue on wall and floor surfaces; a dishwasher had dirty water and a large accumulation of foodstuffs; the presence of cobwebs, spiders and insects such as woodlouse were present throughout a kitchen; the inside of an ice machine coated with a dried on grey/white substance; high levels of E. coli and coliforms were found in drinking water and ice samples taken from a premises, and raw sewage was found on the floor of a customer toilet.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI condemned the record number of food businesses issued with Enforcement Orders, adding that these businesses have failed to ensure their premises operate to the highest food safety standards at the busiest time of the year.
“The presence of rodents and other pests presents a grave and immediate danger to consumers’ health,” Dr. Byrne said, “and food businesses must put in place more robust pest control systems.
“Some of the reasons for Enforcement Orders in November demonstrate totally inadequate hygiene standards and these operators are damaging the reputation of the food industry as we enter one of the busiest months of the year.”
“With the Christmas period already underway, food businesses must ensure they maintain high food safety standards,” Dr. Byrne added. “I hope in December we see a significant reduction in Enforcement Orders and improving food safety standards.”
The FSAI provides advice if food businesses are unsure what their legal obligations are at www.fsai.ie, the FSAI Advice Line or info@fsai.ie
The orders under the FSAI Act, 1998 were:
- New Century Chinese Takeaway, Riverstown, Dundalk, Louth
- Hui Kee (Take Away) (Closed area: Area to the rear of the premises housing coldroom), 52 Bulfin Road Inchicore, Dublin 8
- Vernon Catering (Packer) (Closed area: Packing area of open food in warehouse), Unit C104, Castleforbes Business Park, Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall, Dublin 1
- Sajna Exclusive Dining (Restaurant/ Café), 28/29 Bishop Street, Cobh, Cork
- Apache Pizza (Restaurant/ Café), 58 Dame Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2
- Blackchurch Inn (Restaurant/ Café), Naas Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin
- Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant (Restaurant/ Café),45 Capel Street, Dublin 1
- The Kitchen (Restaurant/ Café), Emmet Street, Trim, Meath
- Roma Restaurant (Closed Area:- the external area to the rear and side of the premises used for food production and storage), Dundalk Street, Carlingford, Louth
- East Ocean (Take Away), 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
- Elita Meats (Small Meat Manufacturing Plant), Unit D4, Dunshaughlin Business Park, Dunshaughlin, Meath
Meanwhile, ten closure orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010. They are:
- Tony’s Bistro (Restaurant/ Café), 69 North Main Street, Cork
- Capital Turkish Kebab House (Restaurant/ Café), 3 Eglington Street, Galway
- Ballyneety Pizza (Take Away), Ballyneety, Limerick
- Westmanstown Sports Centre (Restaurant/ Café), Westmanstown, Dublin 15
- The Blue Anchor (Restaurant/ Café), Bellurgan Point, Dundalk, Louth
- Tikka Asian Street Food (Restaurant/ Café), Schooner House, South Quay, Wicklow
- Salvetas Take Away and Café (Restaurant/ Café), 4A Church Street, Finglas, Dublin 11
- Khan Spices (Retailer), 84 North Main Street, Cork
- Maliks Tandoori Restaurant (Restaurant/ Café), 1 Lower Pearse Road, Sligo
- The Paragon (Public House) (Closed activity: all activities with the exception of service of hot and cold drinks and prepackaged ready to eat snacks), Main Street, Skibbereen, Cork
Finally, two Prohibition Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Vernon Catering (Packer), Unit C104, Castleforbes Business Park, Sheriff Street Upper, East Wall, Dublin 1
- Elita Meats (Small Meat Manufacturing Plant), Unit D4, Dunshaughlin Business Park, Dunshaughlin, Meath
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