Ten food premises ordered to close as inspectors find rodents, blood and mould

Closure Orders were served on ten food businesses across the country during February, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed.

The premises are located in Dublin (6), Cork (2), Waterford and Offaly and in each case the Closure Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers following an inspection.

Eight of the ten Closure Orders have since been lifted after the matters of concern were addressed and rectified by the proprietor.

According to inspection reports, which have been published by the FSAI, there was evidence of significant rodent activity in a number of premises, which created a potential risk to human health.

"Rodent droppings are evident in the food and packaging store room in a shed at the rear of the property. Numerous pest proofing issues are evident in the upstairs food preparation area," stated one report relating to a premises in Dublin.

Other issues which were identified include one premises where inadequate procedures were in place to avoid cross-contamination; the preparation of raw chicken on an equipment sink which was full of 'bloody water' and the presence of mould on food shelving and on ceilings.

"Drainage facilities are inadequate and pose a risk of contamination. A double equipment wash sink is provided -  one is full of bloody water and the other is full of dirty water. Neither sink is draining at all. At all stages of production, processing and distribution, food was not protected against any contamination likely to render this food unfit for human consumption," states the report relating to a Chinese takeaway in Co. Dublin.

Other examples of poor food hygiene include staff not washing their hands, cooked ribs being stored beside raw chicken, filthy food surfaces in a kitchen area, an external door 'dripping with grease' and a fly-killer unit which was not turned on.

In Waterford, concerns were raised by one EHO after a local businessman was found to be using his home for "off-site catering" while a premises in Dublin, which claimed to be 'nut free', was also adjudged to have been in breach in regulations.

"Evidence of inadequate segregation of tree nut and peanut containing food products was observed in the main food preparation kitchen on the day of the inspection," states the report.

Expressing concern over the number of Closure Orders served in February, Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive of the FSAI, said that food safety is a legal requirement and that all food businesses must comply with the law.

“Food safety is not a ‘nice to have’ in a food business. It’s a legal requirement and the law is there to protect consumer health. Consumers have a right to safe food and the food business owner is legally responsible for ensuring that the food they produce is safe to eat. Maintaining a clean premises that is fit for purpose, managing pest control, properly labelling produce and providing traceability information are mandatory legal  requirements for all food businesses. By neglecting to uphold basic food safety and hygiene standards, a business not only jeopardises the health of its customers, but also risks damaging its own reputation as a trustworthy food business,” she said.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website.