15 firms shut down over food safety

SOME 15 businesses have been closed down so far this year over fears of grave risks to public health, it emerged yesterday.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said two other shops were served with an improvement order and a prohibition order over the sale of food.

Pubs serving food, restaurants/canteens and takeaways accounted for 11 of the 15 closures this year followed by three retailers and one manufacturer.

The latest two to be hit with closure orders were Daya Mutombo of the Daya Shop, Killarney Street, Dublin, and Eamonn Fitzgerald of the Claremont Hotel, Lahinch, Co Clare.

FSAI chief executive John O’Brien cautioned that continued vigilance by food businesses on food safety standards is vital to protect consumer health.

“Food businesses must comply with the basic legal requirements set out in food safety legislation,” he said.

“Most food businesses are committed to high standards of food safety.

“However, for the few that continue to breach food safety laws, I hope that the threat of being closed and publication on the FSAI website will be an incentive to maintain proper standards.”