Food-safety orders served on 17 businesses in July

Seventeen food safety enforcement orders were issued to businesses last month, more than double the July 2014 figure.

The 16 closure orders and one prohibition order were served on premises countrywide, according to figures from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. In the corresponding month last year, seven orders were made.

However, the May 2013 figure of 19 enforcement orders remains the highest number recorded over the past 16 years. There had been 17 orders issued during July and August of the same year.

This year, 60 closure orders were issued, compared to a total of 96 in all of 2014. In 2013, 119 orders were issued, the highest number in the last 10 years. The orders are issued by HSE environmental health officers.

FSAI chief executive Pamela Byrne said she was disappointed at the high level of enforcement orders served last month. She criticised the lack of vigilance by some owners in ensuring their businesses were fit for purpose and fully compliant with food-safety legislation.

“These breaches are completely avoidable when food businesses have proper food-safety management systems in place,” said Dr Byrne.

“Food safety must be paramount. This requires greater focus to safeguard against standards slipping and to ensure that food is safe to eat.”

However, only three premises served with notices last month remain closed, with closure orders lifted either on the same day, or just within days in relation to the other businesses listed.

Nine of the closure orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998, with a further seven issued under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2010 because there was a non-compliance with food legislation.

Details of the food businesses served with enforcement orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie.