Two Closure Orders were served to Irish food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation during April, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) and officers of the FSAI under the European Union Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation Regulations, 2020.
Mrs Beltons Farm Produce, Black Ditch, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow and The Chef's Counter take away restaurant, Main Street, Portarlington, Co Laois were served with the orders.
READ MORE: All the recalled products Irish customers need to throw out this week from meat and fish to sauces
In April, three prosecutions were also taken by the HSE in relation to Cosmo Off-Licence, Circular Road, Tuam, Galway with two prosecutions and The Front Room, also known as Hibernia Inn, 29 High Street, Tuam, Galway.
The reasons for the Enforcement Orders included failure to have effective traceability systems and procedures in place, inappropriate storage of raw materials and ingredients, a reliance on room temperature to cool foods, operating without registration or approval and failure to implement and maintain food safety procedures.
Commenting on Tuesday, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, reminded businesses that ensuring correct and proper food safety practices are in place is crucial to protecting the health of consumers.
She said: "The Enforcement Orders in April show that some businesses have committed serious breaches of food safety procedures. Food businesses must have the appropriate registration and/or approval in place before they start to produce and place food on the market. This requirement means that food businesses will be registered and/or approved with the appropriate inspection agency to ensure food safety and protect consumer health. Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat."
"The three prosecutions taken by the HSE in April with support from the FSAI had a positive outcome for the protection of consumer health. The sale and supply of counterfeit alcohol is a very serious offence, as these products can cause dangerous adverse health effects and even death in some instances."
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI's website at www.fsai.ie.
Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website 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.
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter.
