Hike in premises shut for food safety

THERE was an increase in the number of premises closed temporarily due to problems with food safety last month.

Five closure orders were issued in March by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), and one prohibition order was made against a first-floor kitchen within a restaurant in Cork city.

The FSAI said the rise in the number of orders was “disappointing”.

The prohibition order, issued where the handling, storage and distribution of food could involve a serious risk to public health, was applied to a first-floor kitchen occupied by Shebeen Cuisine, on St Patrick St in Cork city.

The products withdrawn included 13 portions of bacon and cabbage, 14 portions of ox cheeks, 8kg of Irish stew, 25 portions of beef and Guinness stew and six loaves of brown bread.

Shebeen Cuisine (first- floor kitchen only) was also the subject of a closure order.

The sanctions placed on Shebeen Cuisine began on March 16 and as of yesterday they had not been lifted.

Three other premises were also served with closure orders: Newfoundland Public House, a restaurant within Scaville Lodge in Duncormick in Wexford; Papa Entis Pizzeria and Take away, Main St Arva, Cavan; and the main kitchen of the Abbeyfield Hotel on the Sligo Road in Ballaghaderreen in Roscommon.

Orders against Newfound Public House were lifted.