Takeaways in four counties ordered to close amid 'filth' and 'danger to public'

Four takeaways in Ireland were ordered to close in October due to breaches of food safety laws.

A total of five food businesses across Ireland were served with Enforcement Orders during the month of October for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

Two places were ordered to close under the FSAI Act, 1998. They were Base Coffee, The Mart, Newbridge Road, Kilcullen, Kildare and Indian Spices (restaurant/café), 138 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Mizzoni Pizza (take away), 12 Railway Street, Navan, Meath and Seasons Chinese, Bridge Street, Strokestown, Roscommon.

One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on Meghans Café, 8 Cecilia Street, Dublin 2.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in October include: cooking trays not washed after use and congealed with grease and charred food particles; mould growth visible on the internal surfaces of a milkshake blender with a foul odour detected when the lid was removed; the presence of undeclared allergens in food with a potential to cause a life threatening allergic reaction; no evidence of a food safety culture; a drinking water sample taken from the food business indicating contamination of the supply; large open containers of raw chicken left on various surfaces throughout the food premises at room temperature, permitting the growth of bacteria; no hand washing observed during the inspection; filthy premises with dirty cardboard used both as a food contact surface for cooked rice and on the flooring throughout the premises.

Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that the issues resulting in the five Enforcement Orders in October related to failures in basic food safety and hygiene requirements, and expressed her disappointment at the absence of food safety culture in some establishments.

“Food businesses must ensure there is a strong food safety culture in place, including adequate training for all staff. This simply must be a top priority for food businesses. Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility for managers and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times.

"Neglecting food safety demonstrates disregard for the well-being of customers and also potentially places their health at an unnecessary risk. There can be zero tolerance for negligent practices that put consumers’ health at risk, and the full powers of food law will be used if a food business is found to be in breach.”

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.