The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that it served five closure orders on food businesses in February. The FSAI said that the businesses affected were in breach of of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010.
Commenting on the Enforcement Orders served in February, Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive, FSAI said that all food businesses in Ireland should fully understand their legal obligation to ensure consumers are not exposed to unsafe food.
She explained, “Closure Orders, regardless of the legislation under which they were served, indicate that not all food businesses are complying with the law and as a result, are potentially putting consumers’ health at serious risk. It is highly important that food businesses have a strong food safety culture in their business, which can be achieved through ongoing training of all members of their team. Failure to recognise the importance of food safety in a food business reflects poorly not only on that business, but also on the entire food industry.
"The FSAI provides significant resources to support food businesses in understanding their food safety legal obligations, but time and time again food inspectors are encountering basic errors being made by food businesses which are easily avoidable. If food business owners are unsure of what is required of them by law, they can contact the FSAI Advice Line at [email protected] or visit its website www.fsai.ie or facebook page."
Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
· Express Pizza (take away), 6 Lord Edward Street, Limerick
· Punjab Pantry (take away), 39 Richmond Street South, Dublin 2
· Synergy Subs Ltd t/a Subway (restaurant/café), Mellview House, M1 Retail Park, Drogheda, Louth
Two Closure Orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:
· Jalapeno Mexican Cuisine Ltd (restaurant/café), 46 Drumcondra Road Lower, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
· Culleton's Fish & Chips (restaurant/café), Main Street, Bansha, Tipperary
