Do you recognise any of these places?

Two Irish food businesses have been served with closure orders for breaches in food safety legislation in December, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Three other businesses were served with prohibition orders during the month as well. The affected businesses were based in Dublin, Cork, and Monaghan. These businesses were served with orders pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The enforcement orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI. One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

• Express Fish and Chips, 39 Abbey Road, Kill of the Grange, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.

One Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:

• DFC Take Away, 82b Dorset Street Lower, Dublin 1

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

• Ballinwillin House (small meat manufacturing) Plant, Mitchelstown, Cork

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

• Pinoy Sari, Sari Store Limited, 25/26 Mary Street Little, Dublin 7
• Healing with Hemp, T/A Kama Hemp, Burdautien, Clones, Monaghan

The reasons for the Enforcement Orders in December include:

• inadequate pest control system in place;
• food and waste storage rooms had not been adequately cleaned;
• significant rodent infestation;
• the carcass of an unknown dead animal was found on the floor of the waste and food storage room;
• live cockroaches found in the premises;
• rat droppings observed under waste bins;
• encrusted food and grease on cooking equipment surfaces, handles and shelving;
• uncovered and overflowing bin full of dirty food packaging and food waste;
• premises not in a clean condition;
• no appropriate traceability information;
• operation of an unapproved food business.

These orders bring the total of enforcement orders in 2021 to 59, an increase of 40% compared with 2020. Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI stressed the serious nature of a food business being served an enforcement order. “Unfortunately, many of the reasons cited for Enforcement Orders concern the basic requirements for food safety and hygiene and should not be happening in any food business," Dr Byrne said. "There is absolutely no excuse for negligent food practices at any time. "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. "All food businesses must recognise that they are legally bound to ensure that the food they produce is safe to eat and that they implement and support a strong food safety culture, within the business. "Consumers have a right to safe food. "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.”