27 hazardous food outlets closed in 2006

RESTAURANTS and fast food outlets were shut down by health inspectors at the rate of more than two a month last year, figures from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) show.

The drastic action had to be taken because hygiene, storage or cooking practices were so bad that customers had already been poisoned or were in immediate danger of being made ill.

Dr John O’Brien, FSAI chief executive, described the figures as disappointing and warned owners and operators of food premises that a “no compromise” approach would continue in 2007.