The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has served 16 enforcement orders on food businesses in September for breaches of food safety legislation.

Among the reasons for the orders was "clear evidence" of a rodent attack on a bag of rice, along with bird droppings, feathers, and a dead bird present on the premises.

The FSAI said further reasons included a live rodent running across the floor of a food storage room; a dead rodent caught in a snap trap in a kitchen; and active cockroach infestation beneath a cold service display unit storing uncovered food.

The orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, and issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

Nine closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on: 

Glens Takeaway and Diner, Cappaughna, Glengarriff, Cork;
Grace’s Garden (service sector), Dublin Road, Shankhill, Co. Dublin;
Koffee and Kale (restaurant/café), 21B Hill Street, Dublin 1;
Spar (closed area: deli area only), Unit 3, 111 Reubens Square, Dolphins Barn, Dublin 8;
Kimex Ireland Limited (small meat manufacturing plant), Unit 7, Golden Bridge Industrial Estate, Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, Dublin 8;
Osteria 99 Italian Cuisine (restaurant/café), 1st Floor, 99 Monkstown Road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin;
Polonez (Retailer), Unit 4, Walkinstown Retail Centre, Walkinstown Avenue, Walkinstown, Dublin 12;
Café Sol, Cornelscourt Shopping Centre, Foxrock, Dublin 18;
That's Amore (restaurant/café), 107 Monkstown Road, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

Four closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on: 

Antonio's (take away), 61a Ballybough Road, Dublin 3;
Red Robin Takeaway, River Street, Killenaule, Tipperary;
The Lord Lucan Pub, Finnstown Shopping Centre, Lock Road, Lucan, Co. Dublin;
Coolmine Shawarma & Grilled (closed activity: storage, preparation, handling and cooking of raw meat at the premises) (take away), Unit 40B, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Porters Road, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15.

A closure order is issued if in the opinion of the authorised officer, there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at/or in the food premises, according to the FSAI.

One improvement order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on Sizzlers (take away) at 41 William Street, Limerick. An improvement order is issued by the District Court if an improvement notice is not complied with.

An improvement notice is issued when an authorised officer is of the opinion that a premises or practice is of such a nature that if it persists, it will or is likely to pose a risk to public health, the FSAI said.

One prohibition order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, on Hearty Sunshine (health food shop/pharmacy/sports nutrition) at Unit 2A Block, Moore Street Mall, 55-66, Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

A prohibition order is issued if the handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling of food involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch or item of food.

Also during the month of September, one prosecution was taken by the HSE in relation to Cork Oriental Supermarket at 13 Dalton's Avenue, Cork, according to the FSAI.

Chief executive of the FSAI, Dr. Pamela Byrne said the number of closure orders served last month is "very concerning" and that food businesses must ensure that their premises are fully pest proofed.

"Every food business must ensure that they have a robust pest control system in place and that the system is checked regularly. It is crucial that swift and effective action is taken at the first sign of an infestation. 

"Consumers have an absolute right to expect safe food. There is no room for excuses and adhering to food safety standards is a legal obligation for every food business,” Dr. Byrne said.