Six restaurants were issued with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority (FSAI) in July, according to figures released today.
The FSAI said one improvement order was also served by enforcement officers last month.
Three premises in Rathkeale, Co Limerick - Supermann's Pizzeria, Davey Mann's Loft Bar and Restaurant and Fiddler's Green pub - were issued with closure orders.
Such orders are issued where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health.
Similar orders were also issued against Keane's Spar Supermarket, Ballygar, Co Galway, S & E Meats, Dundalk, Co Louth and the North Ocean take-away, Clontarf, Dublin 3. The improvement order was served on John D's Pub in Balbriggan, Co Dublin.
Commenting on the figures, Mr Peter Whelan, Director of Service Contracts of the FSAI, said: "It is unacceptable to have six food businesses closed because standards have fallen so low in premises that consumers' health have been put at risk.
"This is the highest number of closures in a month since the decision to publish monthly figures in 2001. This degree of non-compliance will not be tolerated," he added.
Closure and improvement orders remain listed on the FSAI website for three months. The revamped website can be accessed at www.fsai.ie.
