FSAI serves up three more closure orders

FSAI serves up three more closure orders
A rat in the kitchen - Closure Orders imposed by FSAI on three outlets for unhygienic conditions, including evidence of rodent droppings

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has served three Closure Orders on food businesses in May for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. The Closure Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

One Closure Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Kens Oriental Restaurant, Nenagh, Tipperary, the Factory Canteen Operated Independently by KC Catering at ABP Food Group in Kilbrogan, and Your Stop NR Farranree (retailer), also in Cork.

Reasons to be fearful

Some of the reasons outlined for the Closure Orders in May where rodent activity including dead rodents underneath the chest freezer in the food preparation area and underneath a freezer in the storeroom next to the kitchen; rodent droppings in a container in the food preparation area which stored food contact equipment; evidence of rodent damage to packages of pasta; food premises not maintained in a clean and hygienic condition; plumbing issues resulting in damage to the floor and causing pooling of water on the floor; damaged flooring not in a fit state to be cleaned effectively. Falsified food safety records were identified along with an absence of a food safety management systems increasing the risk of food contamination and posing a risk to food safety.

Compliance with food law

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, emphasised that all food businesses must take responsibility and commit to ensuring high food safety standards and compliance with food law.

“The food inspectors continue to find unacceptable levels of non-compliance with food safety legislation in some food businesses.  It is a legal requirement for all food businesses to have their premises protected against pests and kept clean.  However, time after time inspectors are finding regular incidents of rodent infestations and filthy premises highlighting a disregard for basic food safety management.  Consumers have a right to safe food and we would urge anyone who is concerned or suspect there is unusual activity being demonstrated by a food business, that they can contact us via our online complaint form at https://www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter/ and we will investigate,” said Dr Byrne.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website at www.fsai.ie. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month. 

 

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