Seven firms shut down for poor hygiene in one month

SEVEN businesses, including two supermarkets, were shut down last month for poor hygiene that posed a threat to public health, it emerged yesterday.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) yesterday warned it was taking a zero tolerance approach to inspections. The seven shutdowns in February represents a quarter of all the closure orders served last year.

The FSAI said the seven firms posed a grave and immediate danger.

Dr John O’Brien, chief executive of the watchdog, expressed grave disappointment, saying: “It is completely unsatisfactory that enforcement officers have been forced to issue such a high number of closure orders so early in the year.

“Food businesses must clean up their act or face the full rigours of the law if they allow shoddy hygiene practices to continue.”

Last year 27 firms were served with closure orders.

The businesses shut down in February include two firms catering for the country’s burgeoning immigrant community; MJI Meats, The Mosque Complex, Clare Road, Ballyhaunis, Mayo and the Afrika in Ireland supermarket, on Queen Street, Galway.

In Dublin the Peng Lai Chinese Grocery on Parnell Street was forced to shut itsdoors. Two firms in Co Clare were closed down; Min Lin Chinese Restaurant, The Old House Pub in Sixmilebridge and Fitzpatrick’s Multi Save supermarket, Tulla Road, Ennis.

Bakery Bagietka, Botley Lane in Portarlington, Co Offaly; Nonna Rosa take-away, Main Street, Bagenalstown, Carlow were also served with closure orders. Closure orders apply to all or part of the premises and are only lifted when the required improvements have been made.