The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has reported that 16 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses during the month of September 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. The Enforcement Orders were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the HSE and officers of the FSAI.
Nine Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998, four Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, one Improvement Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, one Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. Also, during the month of September, one prosecution was taken by the HSE.
Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in September include: a live rodent running across the floor of a food storage room; a dead rodent caught in a snap trap in a kitchen; clear evidence of a rodent attack on a bag of rice, along with bird droppings, feathers, and a dead bird present on the premises; active cockroach infestation beneath a cold service display unit storing uncovered food; inadequate procedures in place to control pests; repeated failure to cease handling raw meat in a premises which could not accommodate the safe storage, handling, preparation, and cooking of meat; lack of adequate, regular and thorough cleaning; no hot water, no soap and no facilities provided for hand washing and drying at the wash hand basin in the kitchen; persistent and recurring failure to comply with food hygiene legislation, demonstrating a complete absence of a food safety culture; false or misleading claims on a number of food products.
FSAI Chief Executive Dr Pamela Byrne said: “The number of Closure Orders served in September which listed evidence of widespread rodent or cockroach activity along with a lack of pest proofing, is very concerning.
“Pests can transmit very harmful pathogens to food, food surfaces and equipment and this presents a grave and immediate danger to public health. Every food business must ensure that they have a robust pest control system in place and that the system is checked regularly. It is crucial that swift and effective action is taken at the first sign of an infestation.
“Consumers have an absolute right to expect safe food. There is no room for excuses and adhering to food safety standards is a legal obligation for every food business.”
If you require onsite Food Safety/HACCP training and certification for your staff, a Food Safety/HACCP system specifically designed for your food business or Food Safety advice, please contact SafeHands by phone on 01-7979836 or mobile on 0873823223, email info@safehands.ie or visit www.safehands.ie.