Increase in food safety breaches

RESTAURANTS and food business operators have been warned to strengthen their hygiene practices after a rise in safety breaches last year.

Figures from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland reveal there were 54 enforcement orders for breaches of food safety legislation issued last year, nearly a fifth more than those in 2008.

The FSAI’s chief executive Prof Alan Reilly yesterday insisted the agency and its officials would continue to enforce a strict inspection policy this year.