Food safety authority cracks down on firms’ poor hygiene standards

One of the highest number of enforcement orders in 10 years was dished out to cafés and restaurants last month, figures show.

Twelve companies were hit with closure orders after being found with such poor food safety and hygiene standards that they were deemed to be of grave or immediate danger to the public.

One cash and carry was served with a prohibition order, meaning it was banned from selling food found to have been dangerous to consumers.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said the 13 orders represented a fourfold increase from the previous month, making July one of the highest for enforcements over the last decade.

Alan Reilly, CEO, described the figures as “extremely disappointing”.

“[This] serves as a stark reminder that there continues to be food business operators who put consumers’ health at risk by not complying with their legal obligations for food safety and hygiene,” he said.

“Food business operators must recognise that the legal onus is on them to be responsible and ensure that the food they serve is safe to eat.”

He also warned that the FSAI would not hold back from taking action against food businesses that do not comply with legislation.

He said last month’s enforcement orders should serve as a reminder of the need for rigorous compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.

Environmental health officers in the HSE and officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority issued the orders to firms in breach of standards.

The 12 closure orders were served where officers found there had been a serious risk to public health on the premises.

They can result in either the immediate closure of the businesses or of some of their activities.

Closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

* Daniel’s take-away, Strand St, Kanturk, Co Cork;

* KK Kitchen, Unit 44, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15;

* Rathnew Chinese take- away, Main St, Rathnew, Co Wicklow;

* Whelan’s Bar (closure of kitchen and food storage area only), 14 Denmark St, Limerick;

* Rosie O’Gradys public house (closure of kitchen area), Main St, Borris In Ossory, Co Laois;

* Kebab King take-away, Main St, Millstreet, Co Cork;

* Zaika restaurant, 37 Stephen St Lower, Dublin 2;

* Cromane Mussels (trading as Skellig Seafoods), Stookisland, Cromane, Killorglin, Co Kerry.

Closure orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:

* Royal China restaurant, 2 Bank Place, Railway St, Portlaoise, Co Laois;

* Cafe Hoggar, Norseman Court, Manor St, Dublin 7.

* New Jasmine House restaurant, Aiden St, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo;

* Cafe Stop (under appeal, partial closure which applied to seated restaurant and specific kitchen activities), Main St, Miltown Malbay, Co Clare.

One prohibition order was served on Bimdoc Cash & Carry, Business Centre, Jamestown Business Park, Jamestown Road, Finglas, Dublin 11.