‘No excuse for food safety negligence’

The chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland yesterday said there was “absolutely no excuse for negligent practices”.

Alan Reilly said the FSAI would urge food businesses to ensure they have a food safety management system in place.

As the authority yesterday confirmed the serving of closure orders, by the HSE, on seven businesses last month, Prof Reilly said it was important to ensure non-compliance issues and breaches of food safety legislation did not occur.

So far this year, the FSAI has reported 52 closure orders on retailers, wholesalers, and service providers. Supermarkets, bakeries, and confectioners, take-away outlets, and chip vans have all been affected, along with a butcher shop and a hotel.

Under the FSAI Act, 1998, a closure order is served where it is deemed there is, or is likely to be, “a grave and immediate danger to public health” at or in the premises.

However, closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.

Last month, three closure orders were served under the FSAI act on:

* A grocery, Davak Superstores, at 17 Bolton St, Drogheda, Co Louth;

* The 10 Thousand Restaurant at 39 Middle Abbey St, Dublin;

* The Tasty Grill restaurant at 39 Richmond St South, Dublin.

Four orders were served under the European Commission (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010, on:

* The Morning Star Food Hall (closed area: store area only) Townparks, Commons Rd, Navan, Co Meath;

* Utterly Nutty (bakery/confectionery), Bakery Mews, Kenmare, Co Kerry;

* Tralee Central Hotel on Main St in the Kerry town;

* Planet Spice (restaurant), 51 Church St, Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Mr Reilly said vigilance is always required in relation to food safety and that standards must not be permitted to slip to such levels that consumer health is at risk.