The businesses are located in Dublin, Westmeath, Sligo and Louth.
Rodent infestation and the presence of rodent droppings were amongst the reasons cited for the issuing of six enforcement orders to Irish food businesses during the month of March, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The presence of dirt and food debris behind freezers and minced meat incorrectly being given up to 26 days shelf life as a result of re-vacuum packing were also amongst the reasons given for the issuing of three closure orders, one prohibition order and two improvement orders last month.
A prosecution was also taken by the HSE as a result of a restaurant’s failure to provide correct food allergen information for a customer.
The prosecution highlights the seriousness of providing accurate food allergen information and the importance of complying with the allergens legislation for public health, legal and reputational consequences for food businesses.
Six enforcement orders were issued for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998. The orders were issued by environmental health officers in the HSE.
Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Kebabish Tandoori (Restaurant/Café), 39 Clanbrassil Street Lower, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 (Order served on 10 March, order lifted on 13 March)
- Eurospar (Closed area: rear bakery preparation kitchen, bakery storage area and adjoining lobby), Main Street, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath (Order served on 9 March, order lifted on 12 March)
- China City (Restaurant/Café), 17 Temple Street, Sligo (Order served on 2 March, order lifted on 5 March)
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Halal Food and Grocery (Butcher Shop (Retailer), Unit 6, Trinity Court, Fonthill Road, Dublin 22
Two Improvement Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Giovanni’s Takeaway, Rampark, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth
- Milano’s (Restaurant/Café), 61 Bridge Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth
One Prosecution was taken by the HSE in relation to:
- Camile Thai (Takeaway), Block 3, Unit 22, Village Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24
More details on the closure orders are available on the FSAI website here.
Commenting on the enforcement orders and the prosecution served by the HSE, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said: “In March, there continued to be a number of food businesses who failed to ensure proper food safety management systems were in place.
“Filthy premises, unhygienic practices and poor pest control are all totally unacceptable. There are also no excuses for food businesses failing to provide accurate written allergen information for their customers. A person should be able to trust that the allergen information they get from a food business is correct and it is up to the food business to ensure that they have the appropriate procedures in place to meet this requirement.
“Failure to provide accurate allergen information can have very serious health consequences for people with food allergies. This is a time when our health services are under unprecedented pressure due to Covid-19 and it is vital that they are not put under any additional undue pressure resulting from unsafe food practices.”
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website.
Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed 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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