Ten closure orders were served on restaurants and shops last month by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, including Joud World Food on 13 O'Connell street in Waterford city centre.
Some of the reasons for the closures include rat droppings where food is stored, open bins filled with meat and surrounded by flies, and aprons covered with blood and dirt.
Seven Closure Orders was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on:
- Spar (Closed Area: Deli Counter), Duff House, 13-15 Summerhill Parade, Dublin 3
- The King Pig Food Stall, 108 Cashel Avenue, Crumlin, Dublin 8
- Monto’s Restaurant, Main Street, Kilmessan, Co. Meath
- Riverside Café, Mountnugent, Co. Cavan
- Eskimo Pizza and Lam’s, 31 Deansgrange Road, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin
- Fredis Pizzeria, 58 Dublin Street, Monaghan
- Fredis Takeaway, 3 West Street, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan
Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Universal Food Store Limited (Closed Area: Butcher counter including coldroom) (butchershop), Unit 5, Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre, Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
- The Burren Atlantic Hotel (Closed Area: Kitchen), Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
- Joud World Food (retailer), 13 O’Connell Street, Waterford
Waterford closure
In its report on Joud World Food the Food Safety Authority of Ireland said the overall standard of cleanliness was unsatisfactory at the time of inspection.
In particular, there was concern at the standard of cleanliness in the following areas:
- The side food storage area where food debris and rodent droppings were spread throughout the floor and shelves
- The stairs leading to the staff facilities where food debris and rodent droppings were spread throughout
- Inside the stand-up freezer where blood stains were observed on the shelving
- There was one open bin with general waste in the butcher area that was surrounded by flies.
- There was another open bin in the butcher area filled with meat which was also surrounded by flies
- There was a basket filled with general waste on the stairway to the staff facilities, it was also surrounded by flies and rodent droppings on the floor beneath it.
- Blood-stained cardboard was observed on the floor and on a countertop in the butcher area.
The FSAI said the conditions observed pose an increased risk of food contamination by attracting flies and rodents.
Following remedial action, and a further inspection by the HSE, the closure order against Joud World Food was lifted on July 23rd.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, expressed particular concern over the large number of Enforcement Orders in July and emphasised that food businesses have a responsibility to maintain clean and hygienic premises.
“It is essential for food businesses to understand the importance of food safety and encourage good food safety practices among their staff, particularly through ongoing staff training. Enforcement Orders are served on food businesses only when a risk to consumer health has been identified or where there are a number of ongoing breaches of food legislation. Closure Orders are not served for minor breaches. It is clear that some food businesses are not complying with the law and are potentially putting their customers’ health at serious risk,” said Dr Byrne.
