Closure orders served on two mayo food businesses

THE Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that 10 closure orders and two prohibition orders were served on food businesses in August for breaches of food safety legislation.

Two of the businesses served with closure orders are restaurants in Mayo. They are: Jade Dragon, located at the North Mall, Westport, and Caspian's on Main Street, Kiltimagh.

The orders, pursuant to the FSAI Act 1998 and the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2010, were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive. The closure orders for both Mayo businesses came under the EC regulations.

Commenting on the number of enforcement orders served in August, Dr. Pamela Byrne, chief executive, FSAI, expressed her disappointment at the lack of vigilance by some owners in ensuring their food businesses are fit for purpose and fully compliant with food safety legislation.

She complained: “We continue to find unacceptable levels of non-compliance with food safety legislation. There are still some food business operators who are potentially putting their customers’ health at risk by not complying with their legal obligations for food safety and hygiene. 

“There is absolutely no excuse for these negligent practices. Food businesses must recognise that the legal onus is on them to make sure that the food they serve is safe to eat. This requires ongoing compliance with food safety and hygiene standards.”

Dr. Byrne added that extensive resources are available to assist businesses comply with their obligations around food safety. She urged businesses to take full advantage of the information and support provided by the inspectorate and the FSAI to ensure that they have the correct food safety management systems in place.

Under the FSAI Act 1998, a closure order is served where it is deemed that there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises, or where an improvement order is not complied with. Closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities. 

Closure orders and improvement orders remain listed on the FSAI's website (www.fsai.ie) for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with prohibition orders being listed for a period of one month.