Two Munster outlets among food businesses hit with FSAI orders in January

Four enforcement orders were served on food businesses during the month of January, the FSAI has said.

Rodent droppings, raw meat being prepared in a handwashing sink and the failure to wash equipment were among the reasons food businesses were closed by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in January.

The agency, which is responsible for ensuring food produced, distributed or marketed in Ireland complies with food safety and hygiene standards, issues enforcement and closure reports on businesses which fail either their own legislation or that of the EU.

Four enforcement orders were served on food businesses during the month of January, the authority has said.

Two closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on businesses in Clare and Galway.

In Ennis, O'Brien's Gala had its external food store room closed by the agency after inspection — which saw rodent droppings on "high and low shelving" and "throughout the external food store".

The droppings presented a "grave danger" to the public, the enforcement order reads. The store room was closed on January 12 and reopened on January 24.

F Herterich's Pork Butchers on Lombard Street in Galway was found to have rodent droppings present, with an FSAI inspector noting it caused a "serious risk to the safety" of food. It was closed on January 10 and reopened on January 23.

One business, Golden Palace on the Swords Road in Whitehall in Dublin, was closed under the EU Regulations Act of 2020.

It was found to have risks of cross-contamination, "an absence of adequate training/ supervision in food safety," and a large amount of unclean equipment.

The report reads: "There was a large build-up of grease noted under and at the sides of equipment. The fridge beside the fryers was very unclean and greasy"

Staff did not wash their hands at any stage during the inspection, including after the preparation of raw meat and handling rubbish. 

Furthermore, staff members were observed preparing raw beef at a sink not designated solely for the preparation of potentially contaminated foods. They proceeded to touch and handle multiple surfaces in the kitchen. No hand washing was observed before said staff member continued to work, handling and cooking food.

The restaurant closed on January 30 and reopened on February 2.

Finally, one prohibition order was served on Mercury on the Park Road in Waterford due to poor storage of food in the business.

Fresh fish was stored in a cardboard box which was not food grade and non-washable, and a large amount of perishable food was being stored in a freezer that was not operating, therefore the correct temperature was not being maintained.

The order was issued on January 19 and was lifted on January 22.

Commenting, FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne stressed the importance of complying with food safety legal requirements that have been set to ensure the protection of consumer health.

"In January, there continued to be a number of food businesses who failed to ensure appropriate food safety management systems were in place and operating correctly," said Dr Byrne. 

"It is a legal requirement that all food businesses take responsibility in ensuring their premises are maintained to the standard required by Irish food law. Food safety requirements are put in place to protect the health of consumers. 

"Consumers have a right to safe food. By failing to keep reasonable food safety and hygiene standards in place, a business not only poses a risk to the health of their customers, but also to their own reputation as a trustworthy and safe food business."