'Dead rat in a trap' among reasons for closure of 7 food businesses
Live mice in warehouse and a dead rat in a trap were just some of the reasons why the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served closure orders on seven food businesses last month.
The FSAI also outlined that evidence of rodent infestation, multiple fresh rodent droppings throughout a kitchen area, wash-up area and cleaning equipment storage area and no hot water in a wash hand basin provided for food handlers also resulted in the "enforcement orders" served on some food businesses.
According to Greg Dempsey, chief executive, FSAI, enforcement orders - particularly closure orders and prohibition orders - "are only served where there is a serious and immediate risk to consumer health, or where there are persistent and significant breaches of food law, and not for minor infractions".
Dempsey added: "In many of the closure orders issued this month, there was a clear absence of the most basic food safety procedures, alongside high levels of pest activity and poor hygiene standards.
"Staff working in food businesses must be trained and/or supervised, so that they can carry out their work in line with food safety requirements. It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations.
"There can be no excuse for putting consumers’ health at risk through negligent practices and failing to comply with the legal requirements".
The FSAI issued five closure orders, under the FSAI Act, last month to:
- China Palace (Restaurant/Café), 11 Main Street, Roscommon;
- Stela Foods (Wholesaler/Distributor), Unit 2, Greenhills Business Park, Drogheda, Co. Louth;
- Yomari Foods Ltd (Take Away), Main Street, Boyle, Co; Roscommon;
- Stela Food Stores (Wholesaler/Distributor), (Closed Area: Closure of Stela Food Stores building (excluding the three 40 foot fixed containers and one 40 foot container attached to mobile trailer outside the building), Unit 8, Ringwood Centre, Damastown Close, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15;
- Republic of Grill (Take Away), Wickham Way Market, Wickham Street, Co. Limerick.
The authority, whose principal function is to protect consumers’ health and interests, also issued two closure orders - under European Union regulations, to:
- PY Fast Food Food Stall, Trading on Moore Street, Dublin 1;
- Eddie Rockets (Restaurant/Café), Point Village, East Wall Road, Dublin 1.
The chief executive, FSAI, has warned that it is a "legal requirement of all food businesses to ensure full and continuous compliance with food safety regulations".
Meanwhile it was also confirmed that during the month of February one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to Baltic Market (Retailer), 2 Dominic Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth.
