SEVEN businesses across the country were hit with enforcement orders in February due to a number of issues, including rodent problems and inadequate personal hygiene.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) handed out the orders to two takeaways, two restaurants, two retailers and one seafood provider.
The orders were served for a variety of safety and hygiene reasons including a “complete lack” of cleaning and accumulations of dirt and grease on contact surfaces.
Rodent activity was also a concern, with six mouse carcasses found on a warehouse floor and rodent droppings discovered on a shelving unit in the service counter area.
Other causes included unsafe food handling, with raw chicken stored in previously used chip boxes, out-of-date food, and high-risk ready-to-eat foods and other cooked items stored at unsafe temperatures.
No access to hot water to wash surfaces and food equipment was also noted.
Under the FSAI Act, 1998 two closure orders were served in Laois and Dublin.
Universal Food Wholesale Distribution Limited in Unit B3 National Enterprise Park, Togher, Portlaoise, Laois was served with a closure order on February 28, 2025.
This order has yet to be lifted and was served due to rodent droppings and six mouse carcasses being discovered.
Under the same act Far East restaurant 339 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 also received a closure order.
This was served on February 13, 2025 and lifted on February 17, 2025.
This was due to a number of holes in the wall needing to be repaired, correct food storage containers needing to be put in place and the FSAI also requested a deep clean of the premises to be carried out.
Under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 four other closure orders were served last month.
In Meath, the Day to Day, Hayestown retailer on Boyne Road in Navan was ordered to close on February 26, 2025, and the order was lifted on March 5, 2025.
This order was served due to evidence of rodent activity near the food service area including a deli and ice-cream servery area.
The Bombay Kebab House takeaway joint at 3 Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Suir, Tipperary received a closure order on February 18, 2025 and it was then lifted on March 3, 2025.
This was due to hygiene issues, including the premises being unclean and poor cleaning training.
FURTHER ORDERS
Tank & Skinny’s @ Number 6, a cafe in Courtyard Shopping Centre in Letterkenny Co Donegal, received their closure order on February 18, 2025 and it was lifted two days later.
This was due to the absence of an effective cleaning regime and of a food safety management system.
And Lams Take Away in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 received a closure order on February 14, 2025 and it was lifted on February 20, 2025.
This was due to a low level of cleanliness and personal hyenine issues as staff wore their own clothing underneath aprons.
The business was instructed to provide uniform tops for its staff.
SALE STOP
Seafood joint Burren Smokehouse on Kincora Road in Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare were served a probation order on February 13, 2025.
This was served under the FSAI Act 1998 and probation orders are served if “handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling food involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch, or item of food.”
This will stop the sale of the product temporarily or permanently.
The withdrawn products from Burren Smokehouse have the batch numbers:
- 411712/429721
- 413211/52221
- 422411/51721
- 321411/428921
- 321613/428921
- 327911/429121
- 320913
- 27008
The order has yet to be lifted.
Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said food safety must be a “top priority” for food businesses,
‘THERE ARE NO EXCUSES’
He added that failing to comply puts customers at “direct risk”.
“February’s Enforcement Orders serve as an important reminder that food safety must always be a top priority for all food businesses.
“Regular checks and adherence to food safety and hygiene standards are essential to protect consumers’ health and maintain public trust.
“There are no excuses for failing to comply with legal requirements, and any lapse in food safety practices puts consumers at direct risk.
“Implementing a food safety management system is straightforward, especially with the supports available from the FSAI, yet some businesses continue to neglect this crucial legal requirement.
“Consumers have a right to safe food and it is imperative that all food businesses uphold the highest standards of food safety and hygiene at all times.”
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