The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that three Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order were served on food businesses sometime in April for breaches in food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010.
A Closure Order is served where it is believed that there is or there is likely to be immediate danger to public health at or in the premises, whereas a Prohibition Order is issued if the activities such as: handling, processing, disposal, manufacturing, storage, distribution or selling food, involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health.
These Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive and by sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Zam Zam Pizza and Kebab take away, Main Street, West End, Bundoran, Donegal
- Cheung's restaurant, 83 Dublin Street, Dundalk, Louth
One Closure Order was served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:
- Bon Marche grocery, 189 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
One Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Breizon Teo distributors/transporters, Dalriada Mina, Ros A Mhil, Galway
Two successful prosecutions were also carried out by the Health Service Executive on Sligo Spice butcher shop, 14 Connolly Street, Sligo and on Glenmore Meats butcher shop, Carntressy, Pettigo, Donegal.
Professor Alan Reilly, chief executive, FSAI stated that the level of Enforcement Orders issued shows a lack of sufficient focus by some owners on ensuring their food businesses are fit for purpose and in compliance with food safety legislation.
"Again and again, we encounter cases of improper storage of foodstuffs and poor cleaning and sanitizing. These breaches are completely avoidable when food businesses have proper food safety systems in place. Food safety infringements can pose a risk to consumer health and food safety inspectors will serve Enforcement Orders if a food business does not fulfill their legal responsibility to serve and sell food that is safe to eat. We would encourage any food business operator who is unsure of what is legally required of them to contact our Advice Line or visit our website."
Details of the food businesses served with these Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI's website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premise is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.
