The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served seven closure orders and one prohibition order on food businesses during March for breaches of food-safety legislation.
The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and by officers of the FSAI who found evidence of "grave and serious disregard of basic food-safety procedures", the FSAI said.
Some of the reasons for the enforcement orders in March include:
Commenting, Dr. Pamela Byrne, chief executive, FSAI, reminded businesses that ensuring food-safety practices are being followed is a legal requirement.
“It is simply not good enough that there continues to be such grave and serious disregard of basic food safety procedures," she said.
"In particular, several of the closure orders reference significant rodent infestations. This is not acceptable in any food business at any time, as it poses a serious risk to public health.
"Food businesses need to ensure that they have a strong food safety culture, including correct food safety management procedures in place to ensure pest control and best hygiene practice at all times. Consumers have a right to safe food.”
Four closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
Three closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
One prohibition order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
During the month of March, one prosecution was taken by the HSE in relation to: