Thirteen food businesses, including a number of stalls at Oxegen and the Dún Laoghaire Festival of World Cultures, were ordered to shut down over safety breaches in July, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
This represented the highest number of closure orders ever issued in a month by the FSAI
The closure orders were issued by environmental health officers (EHOs) in the HSE West Region; the HSE Dublin North East Region and the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region.
Among those outlets ordered to shut in July included a Chinese fast food stall at the main stage in Arena 2 at the Oxegen festival.
In addition, four stalls, which were operating during the recent Festival of World Cultures, were also ordered to close. These include the Punjab Balti, a Taste of India and Habesha Food Company food stalls, and a stall run by Keziah Mabunde.
Closure orders were also served on a number of premises in Dublin including the Saagar Restaurant on Harcourt Street, and the Hanlin Restaurant and Rong Xing supermarket, both on Parnell Street.
The kitchen of the Patrick Ivory pub on Castle Street, Dalkey, Co Dublin was also served with a closure order in July as was part of the premises of Keenana Butchers and Deli on Lanesboro Road, Roscommon; the Cherry Blossom takeaway and restaurant on Church Road, Greystones, Wicklow; the Hadi Indian takeaway at Main Steet, Ballaghderreen, Roscommon and the Liada Bakery, which trades as Merkurius D, at Quinnspares, Durrow, Co Offaly.
A closure order is issued if the FSAI rules there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health in the food premises. The order can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.
Last month a successful prosecution was also carried out by the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region on the Hogan Stand Butcher Shop, Unit 2, Lyster House, Lyster Square, Portlaoise, Co Laois.
The FSAI said that it is unacceptable that some food businesses are continuing to breach food safety laws and warned all food business operators to place robust food safety systems and hygiene practices top of their agenda.
"It is a hugely disappointing statistic that we are reporting today a record number of closure orders for the month of July. The same recurring, but easily preventable faults continue to contribute to the closure of food businesses and this must be addressed by food businesses operating to unsatisfactory standards," said Prof Alan Reilly, chief executive of the FSAI.
"Dirty premises, unhygienic practices and improper storage of food simply will not be tolerated. Food inspectors across the country are as active as ever during the summer months carrying out food inspections, so that consumers can feel confident about the food they are purchasing," he added.
