Dead cockroaches and 'lack of basic hygiene provisions': FSAI serve eight Closure Orders in August

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have reported that eight Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of August for breaches of food safety legislation.

The closure orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE), pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

Some of the reasons for the closure orders in August included evidence of ongoing rodent infestation with droppings found in kitchen area; failure to implement adequate pest control measures; dead cockroaches found in traps and flies in the deli area; inadequate regular and thorough cleaning and uncovered bins filled with food waste.

A build-up of dirt on used catering equipment and on the floor was also found in some businesses, along with a lack of basic hygiene provisions - such as hot water, soap, and drying facilities for staff - food not stored at correct temperature; a lack of food allergen information available for customers and a failure to implement an appropriate food safety culture.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, warned that there is a legal responsibility for food businesses to act responsibly and ensure the food they provide to their customers is safe to eat.

“Whilst most food businesses follow high food safety standards and are compliant with food law, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk through a failure to comply with food safety and basic hygiene requirements."

Two closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on Jazz Chinese Restaurant in Coolock Village Shopping Centre, Dublin 5, and on Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza on Main Street, Fairview, Dublin 3.

Three closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Letterkenny Kebab and Pizza/East Ocean takeaway in Donegal, Cafe India in Tullamore, Offaly and Divine Catering (domestic kitchen) in Nenagh, Tipperary.

Closure orders were also served to Akanchawa Honey Pot in Blanchardstown and Al Huda Grocery in Summerhill in Dublin under the same EU legislation.

Baalbec Take Away in Kilmallock, county Limerick was also served with a closure order under EU regulations for their "closed outdoor area used to accommodate the potato peeling and preparation".

"These non-compliances are avoidable, and we have zero tolerance for any food business that does not comply with its legal requirements," Dr Byrne continued.

"Food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure the safe supply of food and it is unacceptable that basic procedures like handwashing, cleaning, robust pest control measures and storing food correctly at the appropriate temperature are not being properly followed. Food businesses must do better.”

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. 

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 from the date the Order was lifted.