Four enforcement orders were served on food premises in Ireland last month, with one business using food past its use-by date while another was storing "high risk foods" at "unsafe temperatures."
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) stated that the four enforcement orders served on food businesses comprised of three closure orders on businesses in Limerick, Tipperary and Meath, as well as a prohibition order on a Dublin premises.
These closure orders included Little Neros in Abbeyfeale, Limerick, Meaghars Daybreak in Fethard, Tipperary, Vicos Grill in Navan, Meath as well as a prohibition order served on Pak Halal in Swords, County Dublin.
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One business had frozen food which was labelled as "fresh food" and the majority of food had passed its use-by date or had no-use by date at all, a report revealed.
Another food business had failed to maintain the cold chain, having previously been "warned of similar non-compliance" in March 2022. During food preparation, there was no electricity on the premises and the boiler was broken.
The filters of the canopy above the cooking equipment were described as "unclean" while high-risk food was stored at "unsafe temperatures", with cooked chicken stored at 11C and garlic mayonnaise stored at 12.1C.
In addition, allergen information was either "missing or inaccurate", the FSAI stated.
The authority also stressed that hand-washing facilities lacked hot water and that food handlers were "inadequately trained or supervised in food safety matters."
Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said the Enforcement Orders served represent a "clear disregard for compliance with food legislation" which has been put in place to protect consumers.
"Consumers have a right to safe food," she said.
Dr Byrne stressed that maintaining a clean premises with constant and reliable access to hot water and electricity is a basic, legal and mandatory requirement for all food businesses.
"Food businesses are also legally obliged to provide consumers with accurate written allergen information on all food, whether prepacked or not. If a consumer is not happy with the standard of hygiene in a food business, or the food is not fit to eat, or a food label is not accurate, they can contact us," she stated.
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