Seven food businesses were ordered to shut down over safety breaches last month, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
The enforcement orders were issued by veterinary inspectors in Roscommon County Council and by environmental health officers in the HSE West Region; the HSE Dublin North East Region; the HSE South Region and the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region.
Overall, 10 enforcement orders were served on food businesses around the country in June, bringing the total number of enforcement orders so far this year to 32.
Chief executive of the FSAI, Prof Alan Reilly, said it was "unacceptable" that so many orders had been issued in June.
"Food businesses that chose to ignore the law will not be tolerated," he said. "Consumers have a right to feel confident that the food they are purchasing is safe to eat and every enforcement order undermines that confidence, which affects not only the premises involved, but the industry as a whole.
Last month, closure orders were served on the Eastern Masala Indian restaurant in Strokestown, Roscommon, Diegos Burger and Chip Van, trading at Mullaghmore, Sligo, the Kwai Garden take away in Kingscourt, Cavan, Farm buildings, Ardmullan, Kiltoom, Athlone, Roscommon, the German Barbeque Food Stall, Mullingar, Westmeath, Brown Suga Cafe in Ballaghaderreen, Roscommon and the Fresh Kebab House take away in Castletownroche, Cork.
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.
In addition to the closure orders, an improvement notice was served on the Thai Gourmet Restaurant in Balbriggan, County Dublin while two prohibition orders were issued to the Adezath Superstore on the North Circular Road, Dublin 7 and the Bluebird Ventures supermarket in Tyrrelstown Town Centre, Dublin 15
Businesses are served with prohibition orders if their activities involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch or item of food, while improvement notices are issued where there are concerns involving the handling and preparation of food and the condition of a premises.
During June, a number of successful prosecutions for safety breaches were carried out by the HSE Dublin North East on Temmy Gold supermarket in the Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15 and on Café Hoggar, on Manor Street, Dublin 7.
Prof Reilly said there was "no excuse for food businesses to be unaware of their legal responsibilities to protect consumer health."
“We would stress to food businesses the importance of maintaining the highest standards of food hygiene at all times. One of the simplest ways to ensure food is produced safely is that basic hygiene standards are met and yet this continues to be an issue for some food businesses," he added.
