FSAI: Seven food businesses closed in July and August

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the months of July and August bringing the total number of Closure Orders served this year to 18.

Five Closure Orders were served in August by environmental health officers in the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster region with the fifth served in the HSE West region in Co Roscommon.

Two Closure Orders were served in July in the HSE Dublin North East region and in the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster region in Co Kildare.

Dr John O’Brien, Chief Executive, FSAI, expressed his disappointment at the need to issue this number of Closures Orders this summer and advised that food businesses address their food safety systems so such orders can be avoided in the future.

“The need to issue a Closure Order undermines consumer confidence in food safety which affects not only the premises involved, but the food industry as a whole. Although the majority of Irish food businesses are fully committed to maintaining high standards in the interests of their customers’ health; there are still those few who continue to disregard the basic minimum requirements placed upon them. Protecting customers’ health in relation to food has to be the central motivation for a food business to comply with the minimum food safety requirements set out in food legislation,” he said.