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10th May 2022

Two Irish food businesses were served with closure orders in April

Hugh Carr

closure orders april

Recognise these places?

Two closure orders were served on Irish food businesses during April, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The enforcements orders were issued for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI.

Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

  • Mrs Beltons Farm Produce, Black Ditch, Brittas Bay, Wicklow.
  • The Chef’s Counter (take away), Main Street, Portarlington, Laois.

Three prosecutions were taken by the HSE during April against:

  • Cosmo Off-Licence, Circular Road, Tuam, Galway (two prosecutions).
  • The Front Room (also known as Hibernia Inn), 29 High Street, Tuam, Galway.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in April include failure to have effective traceability systems and procedures in place, inappropriate storage of raw materials and ingredients, a reliance on room temperature to cool foods, operating without registration or approval, and a failure to implement and maintain food safety procedures.

“The Enforcement Orders in April show that some businesses have committed serious breaches of food safety procedures, said Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive for FSAI.

“Food businesses must have the appropriate registration and/or approval in place before they start to produce and place food on the market.

“This requirement means that food businesses will be registered and/or approved with the appropriate inspection agency to ensure food safety and protect consumer health.

“Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat.”

Dr Byrne added: “The three prosecutions taken by the HSE in April, with support from the FSAI, had a positive outcome for the protection of consumer health.

“The sale and supply of counterfeit alcohol is a very serious offence, as these products can cause dangerous adverse health effects and even death in some instances.”

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