Public put in ‘grave danger from shoddy food outlets’

THE public has been put in “grave and immediate danger” by shoddy food operators, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warned yesterday.

Despite an extensive campaign to promote food safety among businesses, the number of outlets closed so far this year has risen to 18, up four on the same period last year.

Yesterday, the FSAI released details of four food outlets which were closed last month and two more which were issued with improvement notices.

“It is disappointing that the number of closure orders has increased. But the name-and-shame campaign is exposing the people who are grossly in contempt of food legislation,” FSAI contracts manager Eileen O’Leary said.

“For a closure order, there has to be a grave and immediate danger to public health such as filthy conditions or the possibility of cross-contamination or rodent infection. They are very serious and they are not issued lightly,” she said.

One of the premises shut down by the FSAI was the restaurant of Portumna Golf Club in Galway. It was served with a closure order for two days last month.

“It was a nightmare for us because we had just taken over the restaurant and there was a long-running problem with rodents,” said Majella Foley, who runs the restaurant. “We closed for two days to sort it out. We have a good reputation for food and there isn’t the slightest problem with it now.”

Environmental Health Officers in Dublin also served closure orders on a Container Shop in Ballymun and on the China Room restaurant in Moore Street. The restaurant was allowed to re-open 10 days later after a further inspection.

The China King takeaway in Daingean, Co Offaly, was forced to close from June 6 until June 25.

The Ocean City takeaway on Strand Street, Skerries, Co Dublin and The Yacht pub in Clontarf were both served with improvement orders.

There are around 40,000 food businesses and the 11 health boards are required to inspect all “high-risk” food premises three times a year.