The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that four Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order were served on food businesses during the month of September for breaches of food safety legislation, 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.
Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- La Cave Restaurant (Area closed: dry goods store of La Cave Restaurant), 28 Anne Street, Dublin 2
- David Kra (Production Unit) (retailer), Unit 25, Midleton Enterprise Park, Dwyers Road, Midleton, Cork
Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Mrs Crogh’s Bar (Closed Area: The food preparation area: preparation, cooking and service of food), 4 Parnell Street, Thurles, Tipperary
- Domenico Take Away, Newcastle, Tipperary
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Brazuca Market, 145 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
During the month September, two prosecutions were taken by the FSAI and the HSE in relation to:
- Peter J Lyons, Ratoath, Meath
- High Nelly’s Pub, Knocklonagad, Garryhill, Carlow
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in September include; flies noted throughout the premises; mice faeces noted in a room used to store burger buns; build-up of food debris and grease; a poor standard of personal hygiene by a food handler; raw foods stored above cooked foods in a fridge; food stored at unsafe temperatures; no evidence of regular hand washing; no pest control systems in place; completely inadequate food preparation surfaces; no facilities for disinfecting of crockery or utensils; food was wrapped in a freezer with a dead insect on its wrapping; food was being prepared cooked and served in an area where timber was also being chopped with an axe; a food worker had not received any training in food hygiene matters; a failure to provide traceability documentation.
Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that all food businesses must take their legal responsibility seriously to ensure they protect the health of consumers by complying with food law.
“It is a continuous disappointment that each month food inspectors find serious non-compliances in food businesses that can put consumers’ health at risk. Businesses failed to comply with food safety, hygiene and proper food storage and handling standards that are in place to protect consumers’ health. Food businesses also need to ensure that their premises have the right food safety management procedures in place to ensure pest control and best hygiene practice at all times”.
“Also, it is the responsibility of all food business owners to ensure that their food business is registered and operating in line with the legal requirements under food law. Failure to do so will not be tolerated. This was evident in September where a prosecution was taken in relation to an unregistered food business involved in the transportation of beef. It followed an investigation by the FSAI in conjunction with veterinary inspectors from Offaly County Council, South Dublin County Council, Meath County Council and Longford County Council,” added Dr Byrne.
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports 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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