Seven food businesses ordered to close in December

Seven food businesses were ordered to close in December, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

* Tom Costello (poultry slaughtering), Old Town Hospital, Limerick

* Tasty Bites (restaurant), 281 Hyde Road, Limerick

* Sunrise Indian and European Takeaway, Magheraclogher, Bunbeg, Donegal

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

* JDs (delicatessen) (closed activity: preparation and sale of hot and cold foods at the deli counter), Unit 2-3, Rathcoole Shopping Mall, Main Street, Rathcoole, Co Dublin

* John Doyles (public house) (closed activity: the preparation and service of foods only - service of beverages not affected), 160-1 Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7

* Dynasty Restaurant, 31 Bridge Street, Skibbereen, Cork

* Moonsoon Restaurant, Church Street, Collon, Louth

One Prohibition Order was served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:

* Safco Fine Foods Ltd (manufacturer/packer), Unit 4 A, Cookstown Business Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24

During the month of December, a successful prosecution was carried out by the HSE on Pizza House (restaurant), Bridge Street, Crossmolina, Mayo.

There was a 6% decrease in the number of food safety orders issued to businesses in 2015.

Some 106 orders - including 90 orders for closure - were given by the FSAI.

Some of the reasons for closure were poor cleaning and sanitation, bad personal hygiene, a lack of running water and ineffective pest control.