Seven Food Outlets Shut By Authorities

Ireland's food safety authority has reported on Wednesday it has closed six food outlets and placed a prohibition order on a seventh over breaches of food safety regulation.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said environmental health officers (EHOs) served the orders on food businesses during November in the HSE West Region, the HSE Dublin North East Region, the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster Region and the HSE South Region.

Professor Alan Reilly, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said that with the busy Christmas period underway, food businesses must be particularly vigilant to the hygiene and food standards they are adopting.

"No matter how busy a premises is, food safety standards must not be permitted to slip to levels that jeopardise consumer health."

The outlets closed where the Ivory Tower restaurant in Princess Street, Cork; Gong Chinese Restaurant in Stillorgan, County Dublin; Orient Aroma Chinese Restaurant on Bridge Street, Westport, Mayo; The Royal Hotel in Boyle, Roscommon; Papa Sorrento, in Finglas, Dublin; and Halal Favourite Fried Chicken on Clanbrassil Street Upper, also in Dublin.

Meanwhile, the Prohibition Order was served on the God Favour Shop, Unit 121 Parnell Street, Dublin.

Professor Reilly urged food businesses to continue to produce safe food and not to cut corners to facilitate extra demand.

"Food businesses should take full advantage of the information and support made available by the FSAI and its official agencies to ensure a basic and consistent food safety management plan is being followed.

"Particular attention should be paid to food storage and refrigeration facilities, as stock piling for the festive season can mean that a premises is holding a higher quantity of perishable foods than at any other time of the year."

(DW)