Friday, 09 December 2022
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of November 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.
Four Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Brambles Deli Café (Under appeal), Operating at Wells House and Garden Wells, Gorey, Co. Wexford
- Pizza Max, 64 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
- Grandons Centra Sallybrook [Closed Area: Ground and First Floor Food and Packaging Stores], Sallybrook, Glanmire, Cork
- Waterfront Diner, Dundee St Johnston, Donegal
Three Closure Orders were served under European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Chef Thai & Chinese Takeaway, Unit 4, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
- Civic Offices Canteen, Fishamble Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 8
- Wasabi Sushi Bar (Closed Activities: Immediate cessation of the preparation and sale of sushi and sashimi), Unit 5, Strand Centre, Strand Road, Portmarnock, County Dublin
Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in November include: adequate procedures were not in place to deal with pests gaining entry to the premises; a dead mouse was found in a trap underneath shelving used for storing food and equipment at the rear kitchen and fresh mouse droppings were also noted in this area; pest proofing issues such as holes and gaps were observed which is permitting pests gain access to the food business; evidence of current rodent activity in the kitchen area and counter service; no washbasin designated for the washing of hands was available; food handlers were observed not washing their hands during the inspection.
Commenting on the Closure Orders served in November, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that it is a legal requirement for all food businesses to have a robust food safety management system in place that also ensures a high level of pest control.
“Environmental Health Officers are continuously finding incidents of rodent and pest infestations. This is a failure of a food safety management system, which is put in place to ensure food safety and hygiene. Consumers have a right to safe food and all food businesses have a legal obligation to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat. With the Christmas period already underway, food businesses must ensure they maintain high food safety standards at all times. The FSAI provides advice if food businesses are unsure what their legal obligations are at www.fsai.ie or the FSAI Advice Line, info@fsai.ie,” Dr Byrne concluded.
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.
