Record closure orders as food premises cut back on safety

The ongoing recession is causing some restaurants to cut back on safety measures — risking the health of customers and resulting in record-breaking closure order rates.

Figures revealed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) show that since the economic crisis began, the number of food outlets forced by the State to shut has rocketed.

At the height of the boom, in 2006 and 2007, the number of restaurants and food outlets served with forced closures stood at 25 and 37 respectively.