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.

“It is important to stress that Closure Orders are only served by enforcement officers when standards have fallen very low and the public’s health has been put in danger,” said Dr O’Brien.

“The same recurring, but easily preventable faults, continue to contribute to the closure of food business and this must be addressed by the industry.”

FSAI enforcement officers have several legal tools with which to tackle food outlets that fall below standard, beginning with an enforcement notice, followed by an enforcement order and finally, a closure order, although closure can be ordered without having to going through the first two procedures.

They can also issue a prohibition order where food is sold in a non-restaurant setting. In total, the number of enforcement orders last year was down from 43 to 36 but the number of closure orders was unchanged at 27.

The last closure order of 2006 was served by environmental health officers on the Castle Restaurant in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford in December although the order was lifted after a fortnight.

The number of enforcement orders has fallen since a peak of 78 in 2001.

“Food safety legislation sets minimum standards which industry must comply with. Food business operators should take full advantage of the information and support made available by the FSAI to ensure a basic and consistent food safety management plan is developed and put in place,” he said. “Consumers have to be confident food they are eating is safe and the FSAI will continue to take a ‘no compromise’ approach in 2007.”