The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has reported that Environmental Health Officers from the Health Service Executive served three Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order on food businesses during February due to breaches of food safety legislation.
These enforcement actions were issued under the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, highlighting the continued scrutiny placed on food businesses across Ireland.
While enforcement orders can arise for a variety of reasons, the issues identified during inspections this February were particularly concerning and largely preventable.
What Inspectors Found
Environmental Health Officers identified several serious food safety breaches, including:
- Rodent droppings found on boxes containing food, on floors, and on pallets used for food storage
- A dead mouse discovered under food shelving
- Rodent droppings present on and around food packaging, shelving, and equipment
- Gaps in the kitchen structure leading directly to an external waste area, increasing pest risk
- Food items displayed for sale without adequate labelling or identification, preventing proper traceability
- Poor cleaning and disinfection practices
These findings highlight a combination of hygiene failures, pest control issues, and inadequate food safety management systems.
The FSAI also confirmed that three prosecutions were taken by the HSE during January and February, reinforcing the message that non-compliance with food safety legislation can lead to serious consequences for businesses.
Food Businesses Have a Legal Responsibility
Commenting on the enforcement actions, FSAI Chief Executive Mr Greg Dempsey reinforced the responsibility food businesses have to protect consumers.
He said: “Food businesses are legally obliged to ensure that the food they provide is safe for consumers. This month’s Enforcement Orders were issued where serious deficiencies in hygiene and pest control were observed. These issues are all entirely preventable.
“It is critical that all food businesses maintain rigorous food safety practices and ensure staff are properly trained. Consumer health cannot be compromised, and there is no excuse for negligence in food safety when running a food business.”
Mr Dempsey’s comments clearly emphasise an important point for all food operators: proper food safety systems and trained staff are essential.
Why Food Safety Training Matters
Many of the issues identified during inspections can often be traced back to gaps in staff training or inconsistent food safety procedures.
Effective Food Safety/HACCP training and certification ensures that staff understand:
- Safe food handling procedures
- Hygiene and cleaning standards
- Pest prevention measures
- Proper food storage and traceability
- Legal compliance requirements
When teams are properly trained, food businesses are far better equipped to prevent issues before they occur, protect customers, and pass inspections with confidence.
How SafeHands Can Help
At SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions, we work directly with food businesses to help them meet their legal obligations and maintain high food safety standards.
Our onsite Food Safety/HACCP training provides practical, hands-on instruction delivered at your premises, ensuring your team gains real-world knowledge that can be applied immediately in your workplace.
Our courses help you:
- Train staff in Food Safety/HACCP best practices
- Meet legal compliance requirements
- Achieve recognised certification
- Prepare your team for environmental health inspections
- Protect your customers, reputation, and business
Book Your Training Today
Food safety failures are preventable, and the right training can make all the difference. Contact SafeHands Health & Safety Solutions today to arrange onsite Food Safety/ HACCP training and certification for your team and take a proactive step toward safer food, stronger compliance, and greater peace of mind.