Seven Closure Orders Served In March

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today reported that seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of March for breaches in food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010.

The Closure Orders were issued by environmental health officers (EHOs) in the HSE West Region; the HSE Dublin Mid Leinster; the HSE Dublin North East Region; and the HSE South Region.

Closure Orders were served on:

•The Stephens Green Hibernian Club (closed area: basement and basement yard area), 9 St. Stephens Green, Dublin 2

•Ocean Palace Chinese Restaurant, Main Street, Swinford, Mayo

•Oriental Express take-away, 140 Parnell Street, Dublin 1

•Lemon Cafe Bar (food kitchen only, not bar area), 42 St. Stephens Street, Dublin 2

•Netpol grocery (sale and portioning of cooked meats, cheeses and all ready-to-eat foodstuffs), Unit 9, Tyrrelstown Avenue, Dublin 15

•Thai Orchid restaurant, 7 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2

•The Superbites take-away, New Street, Newmarket, Cork

Commenting on these latest Enforcement Orders, Prof Alan Reilly, Chief Executive, FSAI, stated that vigilance is always required in relation to food safety and standards must not be permitted to slip to such levels that consumer health is put at risk.

"Food business operators must recognise that the legal onus is on them to be responsible and ensure that the food they serve is safe to eat. The FSAI has stressed again and again, that a basic food safety management system is not difficult to implement, so it is disappointing that there continues to be food businesses who choose not to comply with this legal requirement. With the long weekend upon us, food businesses are going to under more pressure than usual. During this busy period, food businesses need to be extra vigilant that safety standards do not slip."

(CD)