Several eateries in Dublin received enforcement orders from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland last month, with a cafe on Talbot street being ordered to close after being found to have a cockroach infestation.
Bewley’s, Grafton Street.
The famous Bewley’s cafe on Grafton Street was issued with a closure notice last month by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The closure order specifically relates to the use of a vacuum packing machine with the document ordering that,
“Part of the activities of its establishment be ceased, specifically the use of the vacuum packing machine.”
Bewleys’ was found to be “non-compliant” in relation to the prevention of contamination of equipment, where it was found that” there was one vacuum packing machine in the premises and upon further investigation it was discovered that raw fish was vacuum packed in the same machine where ready-to-eat foods e.g. egg mayonnaise, were vacuum packed.
The dual use of a vacuum packing machine for both raw and ready to eat foods presents a significant risk of ready to eat foods becoming contaminated with bacteria.” the inspection report said.
The cafe/restaurant was also found to be non-complaint with regard to “cleaning and sanitation”, with the inspector noting that “there was no documented cleaning and disinfection procedure or a cleaning schedule in place specifically for the vacuum packer.”
“In the absence of cross contamination controls for vacuum packing, I concluded that there was a serious risk of ready-to-eat foods becoming contaminated with bacteria.” the report found.
Ella’s Heaven Café and Bakery, Talbot Street in Dublin.
Ella’s Heaven Café and Bakery on Talbot Street in Dublin 1 was also ordered to close after, “Dead cockroach noted next to crockery. Cockroach egg was noted on shelf next to utensils.”
The closure order was issued on the 15th of January but lifted on January 22.
The inspector found that, “There is an active cockroach infestation within the premises. All stages of the lifecycle from nymph to adult was found in the food premises during the inspection,” the order said.
“Live cockroaches were noted in the kitchen directly above open ready to eat food and spices. Dead cockroaches and live cockroaches were noted in traps throughout the premises.
Indian Tiffins, Parnell Street.
Also issued with a closure order was Indian Tiffins on Parnell Street were was no “effective food safety management system based on the principles of HACCP” causing “an increased risk that the business will store, prepare and serve food in a way that could be dangerous.”
Among the issues flagged by the FSAI were
The inspector also found “greasy deposits on the extraction canopy”, “a thick layer of dust on the ventilation system above the main preparation counter” and “food residue on all the papers covering that had been placed on the shelves.”