The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed that Environmental Health Officers from the HSE issued eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order to food businesses in August for serious breaches of food safety legislation.
These actions were taken under the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.
Two Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, six Closure Orders were served under the EU (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, and one Prohibition Order was served under the same EU regulations.
The reasons behind these enforcement actions highlight severe lapses in food safety management. These included a live cockroach infestation in a basement kitchen, with insects found on floors, sinks, water tanks, freezers, and food preparation areas. Some premises were in an unclean condition, with greasy, dirt-encrusted floors and food debris left throughout.
In other cases, there was a lack of proper handwashing facilities, with no hot water available anywhere on-site. Unsafe preparation of raw beef and chicken without proper cleaning and disinfecting procedures posed cross-contamination risks, while poor pest proofing allowed rodent droppings to accumulate on shelving and food equipment in storage areas.
Further issues identified included unsafe storage practices in cold rooms where ingredients were kept, and the provision of false or misleading information regarding food preparation and handling.
Greg Dempsey, FSAI Chief Executive, said: “It is disappointing to see the same issues, such as poor hygiene and pest control problems, being identified each month. Businesses selling food to consumers need to ensure that they met their legal obligations, and that the food they sell is safe to eat. #
“While the majority of food businesses take their responsibilities to their customers very seriously, we continue to see a small number of businesses subject to enforcement action, including closure, due to their non-compliances with basic food safety standards.”
At SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions, we help food businesses avoid these costly and damaging enforcement actions. Our Food Safety/HACCP Training equips staff and management with the knowledge and skills to maintain high standards of hygiene, pest control, and food handling practices – ensuring compliance, protecting your customers, and safeguarding your reputation.
Contact us today to book your Food Safety/HACCP training and keep your business on the right side of compliance.