Mouse carcasses under a sink and flies walking on cooked chicken were among the reasons for enforcement orders being issued to food businesses last month.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued seven enforcement orders on food businesses in June, including one in Cork.
Three closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998.
Mercury Eastern European Food in Midleton, Co Cork, was issued a closure order after a dead rodent was found under palettes on the shop floor where food is displayed.
The report also noted “large accumulations of rodent droppings” throughout the shop and shelving.
It said: “Food which was on sale appeared to have been interfered with due to evidence of gnawed packaging.”
The Cork retailer was served with the closure order on June 13 and reopened on June 25.
Giraffe Childcare Ltd, located in Elm Park, Dublin 14, was also served a closure order on June 6 after two dead mice were found within the premises, in two separate incidents.
The report noted a significant amount of rodent droppings were found in various parts of the premises, including on the floor in a children’s dining room where food was being consumed at the time of inspection.
The inspector said “a grave and immediate danger to food safety exists” due to the “heavy and widespread rodent infestation”. The premises reopened on June 14.
Board on Clanbrassil Street Upper, Dublin 8, was served a closure order on June 14. The inspector requested the closure of the upper storey of the building over breaches in legislation.
The report said: “Evidence was observed in the store room of a current rat infestation ie droppings and chewed expanding foam.”
“Once the access points for the rodents have been sealed, all surfaces, equipment in both the store and the kitchen etc shall be cleaned and sanitised,” the inspector said.
The closure order was lifted on June 17.
Meanwhile, two closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.
In Meath, the Chinese Gourmet restaurant, Oldcastle, was served a closure order on June 27.
The report stated the use of the outdoor timber shed in the backyard of the premises for storage of open food or food contact materials was to cease.
Chrysanthemum in Rathfarnham, Co Dublin, broke several food safety regulations by storing cooked chicken pieces in raw meat packaging and failing to maintain hygienic conditions.
The inspector noted there was “inadequate pest proofing observed”. The restaurant was served with the closure order on June 11 and it reopened on June 13.
Two prohibition orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020:
- Johnson Best Food African Take Away, 86 Summerhill, Dublin 1
- The Roadhouse (public house), Clongowney, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Commenting on the enforcement orders, FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne said food businesses have a legal obligation to comply with food safety legislation in the interest of public health.
“Consumers have a right to safe food. Under food law, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that the food they sell to the consumer is safe to eat.
“Food safety legislation is put in place to protect the health of consumers and to uphold the standards of the food industry.
“We strongly encourage food business operators to continuously improve their food safety standards via regular training, availing of online resources, as well as promoting a strong culture of food safety within their businesses.”