The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has revealed that ten Closure Orders and two Prohibition Orders were served on food businesses during July for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. These Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers from the Health Service Executive.
The breaches were severe. Four Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998; six under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020; one Prohibition Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998; and one under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.
Examples of the issues found included:
-
Rat droppings in dishwasher rooms, food stores, and near customer entrances
-
Inadequate handwashing facilities
-
Staff not wearing clean protective clothing during food preparation
-
Dead beetles found in packaged food
-
Unsafe storage temperatures for meat, poultry, and condiments
-
Rodent droppings on shelving where food was stored
-
Dead cockroaches under worksurfaces and cooking equipment
-
Extensive food debris across preparation and storage areas
FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey said: "Recent foodborne incidents serve as a stark reminder of the need for food businesses to maintain the highest food safety standards. Consumers are entitled to expect that the food they purchase is safe, and food businesses have a clear legal and moral responsibility to ensure that it is. The Enforcement Orders issued this month reflect serious, preventable breaches of food safety law.
"Every food business must take its responsibility to comply with food safety law seriously. The FSAI can provide support and advice to food businesses to help them meet their obligations. However, as demonstrated by the enforcement actions this month, where food businesses do not comply with their obligations, we will take action."
The importance of onsite, face-to-face food safety training
These enforcement actions make one thing clear: online training alone is not enough to prevent serious breaches. While online courses can provide a foundation, nothing replaces the effectiveness of onsite, face-to-face training where staff can see real-life demonstrations, ask questions, and receive immediate feedback.
In-person Food Safety/HACCP training ensures that staff understand not only the theory but also how to apply it in their specific working environment. Trainers can identify site-specific risks, address poor habits, and demonstrate correct procedures directly in the workplace. This approach significantly increases compliance and reduces the likelihood of costly enforcement action.
Protect your business – and your customers
At SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions, we deliver onsite Food Safety/HACCP training tailored to your business. Our qualified trainers provide practical, interactive sessions that meet legal requirements and help create a culture of food safety within your organisation.
Do not wait until a breach occurs. Contact SafeHands today to arrange professional, face-to-face training and certification for your team and ensure your business meets the highest food safety standards.