The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed that seven Closure Orders were issued to food businesses during March for serious breaches of food safety regulations. These orders were enforced under the FSAI Act, 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020, by Environmental Health Officers with the HSE and FSAI officers.
In response, FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey urged food business owners to prioritise food safety/HACCP training for their staff and ensure they have a “robust food safety management system in place”.
Of the seven Closure Orders, five were issued under the FSAI Act and two under the EU Regulations. Additionally, the HSE pursued one food-related prosecution during February.
The reasons for the March enforcement actions included:
• Operating without proper registration or approval
• Evidence of rodent infestation, including a dead rat in a trap and extensive droppings
• Live mice found in warehouse and office areas
• No hot water at handwashing stations
• Dirty premises and food contact surfaces
• Blocked drains with foul wastewater and food debris
• Staff lacking basic food safety knowledge
• Absence of allergen information for customers
Mr Dempsey emphasised that food businesses are legally required to ensure full, ongoing compliance with food safety standards.
He continued: “Enforcement Orders, particularly Closure Orders and Prohibition Orders, are only served where there is a serious and immediate risk to consumer health, or where there are persistent and significant breaches of food law, and not for minor infractions.
“In many of the Closure Orders issued this month, there was a clear absence of the most basic food safety procedures, alongside high levels of pest activity and poor hygiene standards.
“Staff working in food businesses must be trained and/or supervised, so that they can carry out their work in line with food safety requirements. It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations.
“There can be no excuse for putting consumers’ health at risk through negligent practices and failing to comply with the legal requirements. Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the food they sell or serve is safe to eat.”
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