THE FOOD SAFETY Authority (FSAI) has expressed concern at the number of food businesses in the country that are not compliant with law.

Last month, 15 closure orders were served to food businesses that were in breach of food safety regulations.

Two improvement orders and two prohibition orders were also served, mainly in businesses in Dublin and a successful prosecution was brought against Seamus Murphy who had a foodstall at The Gaelic Grounds, Ennis Road, Limerick.

Commenting on the figures, Bernard Hegarty, Director of Service Contracts at the FSAI said that it was one of the highest months on record for enforcement orders and that the food sector needs to “refocus efforts” for higher standards.

“It is shocking that such a high number of food businesses are not compliant with food law, most especially when there is a wealth of information and resources on best approaches for food safety management freely available from the FSAI,” he said.

As we enter into the summer months, the risks for foodborne illness increases as bacteria can multiply rapidly in the warmer temperatures.  In the interest of their customers’ health and their businesses’ reputations nothing but the strictest adherence to high standards of cleanliness at all times should be tolerated.

The 15 businesses served with closure orders in May were:

• Griffin on the Green Limited, 12 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2
• Duesbury Ltd, Trading as Old Ground Hotel (Closed area: kitchens, Poets Corner Bar & ancillary food areas), O’Connell Street, Ennis, Clare
• Chopsticks (restaurant), Unit 68 Parnell Mall, Ilac Centre, Dublin 1
• Attached service area and food preparation room of Lydon House Catering Ltd, Roscommon Race Course, Castlerea Road, Roscommon
• Poc ar Buile (public house), Ballinrostig, Whitegate, Cork
• Curry King (restaurant), Main Street, Clogheen, Tipperary
• Café Presse Ltd, Trading as Pacinos (restaurant), 18 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
• Morning Star Food Hill (grocery), 63 Flower Hill, Navan, Meath
• Jade Garden (take-away), Main Street, Headford, Galway
• Trading as Rose Palace Chinese Restaurant, Well Road, Portlaoise, Laois
• Sichuan House (restaurant), 100a Parnell Street, Dublin 1
• Foodstall operated by Ali Ammar at Geashill, Offaly
• Hong Kong Seafood Restaurant, 138 Parnell Street, Dublin 1
• The Head Chef, Food Stall, Main Street, Skibbereen, Cork
• Dynasty (restaurant), Unit 9, College View, Main Street, Ballymun, Dublin 11

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