FSAI served 59 enforcement orders on food businesses in 2021
A total of 47 closure orders, two improvement orders and 10 prohibition orders were issued by in the HSE environmental health officers last year
Print11 January 2022
A total of 59 enforcement orders were served on food businesses for breaches in food safety legislation in 2021, an increase of 40% in comparison to 42 enforcement orders served in 2020, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has stated.
It said the increase in numbers largely reflects the reopening of many food businesses following long periods of temporary closures in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19. The FSAI reiterated the importance of robust food safety management systems and stressed that the legal responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that the food they sell is compliant with food safety legislation and is safe to eat.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2021, 47 closure orders, two improvement orders and 10 prohibition orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE), veterinary inspectors in the local authorities and officers of the FSAI on food businesses throughout the country.
A number of recurring food safety issues were identified in food businesses during 2021, which resulted in enforcement orders being issued including: evidence of pest activity and infestation; poor knowledge of basic food safety and hygiene rules; inadequate facilities for staff hygiene and cleaning within the food business; inadequate temperature control in the storage and preparation of food.
Commenting on the annual figures, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI stressed the serious nature of a food business being served an enforcement order: “Unfortunately, many of the reasons cited for enforcement orders concern the basic requirements for food safety and hygiene and should not be happening in any food business. There is absolutely no excuse for negligent food practices at any time. Enforcement orders are served on food businesses only when a serious risk to consumer health has been established or where there are a number of ongoing serious breaches of food legislation.
“All food businesses must recognise that they are legally bound to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat and that they implement and support a strong food safety culture, within the business. Consumers have a right to safe food. Non-compliance by food businesses will not be tolerated and all breaches of food safety legislation will be dealt with the full extent of the law.”
The FSAI also reported that two closure orders and three prohibition orders were served on food businesses during the month of December 2021 for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.
One closure order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Express Fish and Chips, 39 Abbey Road, Kill of the Grange, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
One Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- DFC Take Away, 82b Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Ballinwillin House (small meat manufacturing Plant, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork
Two Prohibition Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Pinoy Sari, Sari Store Limited, 25/26 Mary Street Little, Dublin 7
- Healing with Hemp, T/A Kama Hemp, Burdautien, Clones, Co. Monaghan
The reasons for the enforcement orders in December include: inadequate pest control system in place; food and waste storage rooms had not been adequately cleaned; significant rodent infestation; the carcass of an unknown dead animal was found on the floor of the waste and food storage room; live cockroaches found in the premises; rat droppings observed under waste bins; encrusted food and grease on cooking equipment surfaces, handles and shelving; uncovered and overflowing bin full of dirty food packaging and food waste; premises not in a clean condition; no appropriate traceability information; operation of an unapproved food business.
The FSAI is also publishing today the details of a closure order served in November 2021 under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The closure order had been subject to an appeal to the District Court, which was subsequently withdrawn. The closure order was served on:
- Healing with Hemp, Trading as Kama Hemp (Closed activities: All activities of the food business, its establishments, holdings or other premises and the internet sites and social media sites operated by food business be ceased for the purpose of placing food on the market), Burdautien, Clones, Co. Monaghan
Details of the food businesses served with enforcement orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. Closure orders and improvement orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with prohibition orders being listed for a period of one month.
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