FSAI shuts six premises in July

Six food premises were closed during the month of July - the highest number of monthly closures since the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) began publishing figures in 2001.

Three of the closure orders were issued by the Mid-Western Health Board on three separate premises in Rathkeale, Co Limerick while the Western Health Board served an order on premises in Ballygar, Co. Galway. The remaining two closure orders were issued by Louth Council veterinary inspectors for premises in Dundalk and the Northern Area Health Board for an outlet in Clontarf, Co. Dublin.

Another premises in Balbriggan, Co Dublin was issued with an improvement order and will remain listed of the FSAI's website until three months after the premises is judged to have complied with any food safety issues by environmental health officers.

Closure orders are served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health in or on the premises.

Commenting on the high number of food business closures in July, Mr Peter Whelan, Director of Service Contracts, FSAI, said: "It is unacceptable to have six food businesses closed because standards have fallen so low in premises that consumers' health have been put at risk.

"This is the highest number of closures in a month since the decision to publish monthly figures in 2001. This degree of non-compliance will not be tolerated," he said.

Closure and improvement orders will remain listed on the FSAI's website (www.fsai.ie) for 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.