Rose Barrett
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) recently confirmed that eight Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses in May – with at least five Dublin eateries issued with Closure Orders.
A prosecution was also taken against Full Circle Roasters, 2 Grantham Place in D 2.
Shockingly, Closure Orders were served on Scotco ROI Ltd, owners of the very popular KFC fast food restaurant on Westmoreland Street and also on Maneki (restaurant/café) at 43 Dawson Street, well-known dining spots in Dublin 2.
Issued by the Health Service Executive (HSE) breaches cited at KFC under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 related to lack of proper pest control.
The HSE stated adequate procedures were not in place to control pests with rodent droppings sighted throughout the premises. Droppings were found in the attic, suspended ceiling above the office, kitchen and basement with dead rodent carcasses in the suspended ceiling of the ground floor and basement.
Furthermore, it was noted that the premises had holes in the roof, along with holes in internal walls and ceilings which did not prevent pest entry. Numerous internal pest proofing issues were also observed and a large number of old droppings were observed throughout. The Closure Notice was issued on Monday, May 29, and the premises was re-opened on Thursday, June 1.
Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on the Long Thanh, 14 North Strand Road, D 3; St Ita’s Hospital (Seascapes Restaurant only), Portrane and New Century Take-away on Prospect Rd, Glasnevin, D 9. All the Dublin eateries have re-opened once the correct food safety procedures were put in place.
Inspecting Environmental Health Officers with the HSE found that a container of cooked chicken was left on a dirty sink near pools of blood in one premises and raw chicken left on top of lettuce. Surfaces were encased in a thick layer of dirt and grease; multiple cases of rodent infestations, with empty pasta bags containing mouse droppings and a rodent caught in a trap were also reported.
Other dangerous food practices included sushi not being prepared safely, with a lack of appropriate handwashing procedure and no sterilisation of food containers following use. Food thawed at unsafe temperatures, foodstuffs stored without date or name labels, trays of cooked rice stored without labelling, pepperoni slices and other pizza toppings stored uncovered and staff not properly trained and lacking clean and appropriate clothing were among the multiple breaches cited.
The closures were issued over the month of May when Ireland experienced an even higher than normal summer temperatures and humidity.
Commenting on the enforcement orders, Dr Pamela Byrne, FSAI CE, stated: “Care should be taken when preparing all foods, particularly for high-risk foods like sushi which needs specific food safety controls. Improper defrosting of food has been noted by Environmental Health Officers. Defrosting should only be undertaken in refrigerators, as otherwise bacteria can multiply at room temperatures.
“As noted in our recent Breakfast Bite webinar on setting up a food business, all food businesses must adhere to mandatory food legislation, regardless of how long established they may be. A failure to do so can pose a grave and immediate risk to public health. By following best practices for food safety and hygiene, food businesses can produce safe food. Also, consumers can rest assured that enforcement measures will be applied to food businesses that do not meet their legal obligations,” said Dr Byrne.
Details of all food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published at www.fsai.ie and will remain listed there for three months after the premises has been deemed safe/corrected its food safety issues.
- 18 new affordable homes coming to Hampton Gardens, Balbriggan!
- GOLF: Portmarmock’s Fox lands north of Ireland title
- Finglas float through in FAI Junior Cup
- Rugby team raising the spirit of the nation with seismic displays in France
- Great attendance and political support for Baldoyle/Clongriffin protest
