Contracting food poisoning is more likely at Christmas, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) warned today.
Announcing seven closure orders on businesses for the last quarter of the year, the Authority reminded the industry of the increased food contamination risks due to heavier trade during the holiday season.
|
"At this time of year, given the increase in eating out due to Christmas parties and functions, larger quantities of food are cooked and stored for longer periods.
"We are urging the commercial catering sector and all food retail outlets to be particularly conscious of ensuring food safety measures are adhered to," Dr Patrick Wall chief executive of the FSAI said.
The seven businesses served with Enforcement orders - which can mean part or total closure - are:
- Mr Tim Hickey - Flesk Meats, Killarney, Co Kerry - meat distributor and wholesaler
- Mr Paul Cusack - Dock Road, Limerick - fish processing
- Mr Pat Creamer - Main St, Cappamore, Co Limerick - Abbatoir
- Mr Dorcas Olavayose Johnson - Crumlin Rd, Dublin - meat processing
- Mr Alan Ngai - Castle View Chinese restaurant Macroom, Co Cork
- Mr Dao Ning Zhu - New Century Chinese restaurant, Charleville, Co Cork
- Messrs Antioinetta and Mario D'Allesandro - European Grill, Main St, Mallow, Co Cork.
Commenting on the latest closures, and announcing that the authority took action against 74 businesses throughout the year, Dr Wall said the figure was relatively low out of a total of 37,000 businesses operating in the State.
However, he stressed the need to maintain high standards in order to safeguard public health and reminded businesses of their legal responsibilities.
Increasing numbers of part-time staff and the handling of larger quantities of food due to the Christmas rush increased the danger of food contamination, he added.
The names of food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI websiteand can remain posted for up to three months.