The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has confirmed that 14 enforcement orders were served on food businesses in June.

The orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE), along with officers from the FSAI.

13 closure orders and one prohibition order were given to food businesses during the month for breaches of food safety legislation.

A butcher shop and meat stall at a market were among the businesses to receive notices.

FSAI

According to the FSAI, the reasons for the enforcement orders in June are included evidence of a pest infestation in food preparation areas, including live cockroaches, slugs, spiders and woodlice.

Evidence of rodent activity, including rodent droppings on shelving used to store food and on food packaging and food contact equipment was listed as another reason.

The FSAI also pointed to the failure to notify the competent authority of the establishment of a food business; absence of suitable hand washing facilities; inadequate drainage and food not protected from the risk of contamination.

Other reasons included the absence of basic cleaning including chopping boards black with mould, cooking equipment congealed with heavy black grease and food debris; food stored at incorrect temperatures and a lack of effective food traceability system in place.

Food safety

Greg Dempsey, FSAI chief executive, said: “It is unacceptable that we continue to see enforcement action being required due to basic and repeated breaches of food safety standards.

"Effective food safety management systems, proper hygiene practices, pest control and staff training are fundamental legal obligations of every food business.

"Consumers have a right to safe food, and it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that food is produced, handled and served safely," he said.

Dempsey also voiced concern about the instances of unregistered food businesses.

"This requirement ensures that food businesses will be registered and/or approved with the appropriate inspection agency to ensure food safety and protect consumer health," he added.

Enforcement orders

The FSAI said 8 closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

Navan Asian Store (Closed activities: butcher counter and area including coldroom) (Butcher Shop), 4 Metges lane, Navan, Meath;
Meat Stall Vehicle registration 172-C-2476 (Retailer), trading at Balbriggan Market, Co. Dublin;
M&M Meat (Retailer), trading at Balbriggan Market, Co. Dublin;
Foodstall - Vehicle registration 222-D-9510 (Retailer), trading at Balbriggan Market, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin;
Branza Foodstall - Vehicle registration 131-D-40171 (Retailer), trading at Balbriggan Market, Co. Dublin;
The establishment, trading as Liviu Lacatus, Coolnacon, Clonroche, Wexford;
The establishment, trading as Adina Fusteac, Coolnacon, Clonroche, Wexford;
Premises occupied by Aleksej Kardasev, warehouse at Shercock Road (Retailer), Carrickmacross, Monaghan.

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

RAHA Indian Cuisine (Closed activities: The preparation and sale of ready-to-heat meals and onion bhajis to other food businesses) (Restaurant/Café), 32 Park Street, Dundalk, Louth;
Esquires Coffee (Closed activity: Closure of any activity requiring the storage of ready to eat high risk perishable foods) (Restaurant/Café), Unit 1F, Navan Town Centre, Kennedy Road, Navan, Meath;
Atlantic Chinese Restaurant, East End Ballybunion, Kerry;
Al Huda Grocery (Wholesaler/Distributor), 72A Summerhill, Dublin 1;
Asian Delights (Take Away), Dublin Industrial Estate, 106 Lagan Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11.

One prohibition order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

Meat Stall Vehicle registration 172-C-2476 (Retailer), trading at Balbriggan Market, Co. Dublin.