Closure orders were recently issued to two restaurants in Dublin due to ongoing rodent infestations.
These orders were part of eight total closure orders handed down to food establishments nationwide by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month.
Jazz Chinese Restaurant in Coolock and Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza in Fairview, both located in Dublin, were found to have active rodent issues in their kitchen areas where open foods are prepared. The presence of recent rodent droppings in various parts of the kitchens confirmed these infestations.
In the case of Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza, the enforcement order noted that recent droppings were found “behind the pizza oven, under the dishwasher and in the services cupboard.”
At Letterkenny Kebab and Pizza, inspectors identified rice near the wok station that was “covered in blue mould and was turning purple in colour.” They also observed raw meat stored above taco sauce and discovered taps, basins, and handles covered in dirt.
Al Huda Grocery in Dublin’s north inner city received a closure order following a complaint about cockroaches on the premises. The subsequent inspection uncovered two dead cockroaches on the shop floor and “substantial fly activity” around the deli area.
Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, emphasised the legal obligation of food businesses to ensure food safety.
“Whilst most food businesses follow high food safety standards and are compliant with food law, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk through a failure to comply with food safety and basic hygiene requirements,” she said.
“These non-compliances are avoidable, and we have zero tolerance for any food business that does not comply with its legal requirements.”
She added: “Food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure the safe supply of food and it is unacceptable that basic procedures like handwashing, cleaning, robust pest control measures and storing food correctly at the appropriate temperature are not being properly followed. Food businesses must do better.”
In August, eight establishments received closure orders: two under the FSAI Act and six under EU regulations. The orders were for various reasons, some serious and some relatively minor. The businesses affected include:
– Jazz Chinese Restaurant, Coolock Village Shopping Centre, Beechpark Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 5
– Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza, First Floor, 13-15 Main Street, Fairview, Dublin 3
– Letterkenny Kebab and Pizza/East Ocean, 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Donegal
– Baalbec Take Away, Sarsfield Street, Kilmallock, Limerick
– Al Huda Grocery, 72A Summerhill, Dublin 1
– Cafe India, 16 Harbour Street, Tullamore, Offaly
– Divine Catering, Farnamurry Close, Ballygraigue Road, Nenagh, Tipperary
– Akanchawa Honey Pot, Unit 39, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15