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08th Nov 2021

Four Irish food businesses were served with closure orders in October

Alan Loughnane

food closures ireland

Recognise any of these places?

Four food businesses in Ireland were served with closure orders for breaches of food safety legislation during the month of October, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The affected businesses were located in Dublin, Limerick and Louth.

The food businesses were issued with closure orders for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EU (Official Control in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

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

  • Yasmin Bakery and Catering (Activities closed: The preparation of meat, fish and rice dishes through internet sites or social media sites it operates or employs advertising), 19 Wilkins View, Greenhills, Walkinstown, Dublin 12. (Issued on 21/10/2021)
  • Damas Food Stall, trading at the corner of Robert Street and Cornmarket Row, Limerick. (Issued on 9/10/2021)

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

  • Mr Price (Closed area: store room and canteen) (retailer), Aston Village, Termonfeckin Road, Drogheda, Louth. (Issued on 18/10/2021)
  • Chai Café, 60 Dorset Street Upper, Dublin 1. (Issued on 18/10/2021 and lifted on 22/10/2021)

One Improvement Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

  • Navan Soup Kitchen, Brews Hill, Navan, Co Meath. (Issued on 22/10/2021)

Under the FSAI Act, 1998, a closure order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises; or where an Improvement Order is not complied with. Closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.

Under the EU (Official Control in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, closure orders and prohibition orders are served where there is a non-compliance with food legislation.

Among the reasons stated for the closure orders were active rodent infestation with droppings present and gnaw marks on a wall; heavy accumulations of dirt on food preparation surfaces and equipment to such an extent that food was likely to be contaminated; no temperature monitoring records; no hot water provided and inadequate separation of raw and cooked foods.

There was also rodent droppings found in the staff canteen; failure to ensure the competent authority had up-to-date information on the range of activities taking place at the establishment; failure to make food available for sale or supply without indicating written particulars of any allergen in the food; no evidence that food handlers were supervised and instructed and/or trained in food hygiene matters.

“All food businesses have a legal obligation to ensure that they adhere to a high standard of food safety and hygiene at all times,” Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said.

“It is also imperative that a proper pest control system is in place and that this is checked very regularly in order to avoid infestations of rodents and insects. It is also essential that food businesses have a strong food safety and hygiene culture in their business, which can be achieved through ongoing training of all members of their team and a strong commitment to food safety from the management team.

“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.”

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