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The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have stated that 109 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches in food safety legislation during 2018.
This figure represents a 58% increase when compared to the same figures for 2017.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2018, food inspectors served 95 Closure Orders, 5 Improvement Orders and 9 Prohibition Orders on food businesses throughout the country.
With regards to the type of recurring food safety issues that lead to Enforcement Orders, here are the most prevalent offences: evidence of rodent infestation and rodent droppings; filthy conditions; failure to maintain correct temperatures of foodstuffs; a lack of knowledge of food safety by staff; unsuitable food storage facilities and improper or lack of water facilities for cleaning.
The FSAI have outlined the importance of robust food safety management systems and stressed that the responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that the food they sell is safe to eat and compliant with food safety legislation.
Commenting on the annual figures, Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI said that the increase in Enforcement Orders in 2018 was unacceptable.
“There are absolutely no excuses for negligent food practices. The types of reasons cited for Enforcement Orders are simple errors that should not be happening in any food business.
“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.”
She adds: “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.”
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