Final yr, 92 enforcement orders have been served on meals companies for breaches of meals security laws, marking a rise of 19pc from the 77 that have been served on institutions in 2022.
The Meals Security Authority of Eire (FSAI) expressed its disappointment on the improve, stressing that meals security negligence led to the big variety of enforcement orders being issued.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Government, FSAI, stated she had hoped to see a discount within the variety of enforcement orders needing to be served in 2023, nevertheless, “disappointingly this was not the case”.
“We shouldn’t be seeing such breaches of meals legislation occurring in meals companies in any respect,” she stated.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2023, 76 closure orders, three enchancment orders and 13 prohibition orders have been served on meals companies, whereas a complete of six prosecutions have been additionally taken.
December noticed among the worst breaches of meals security laws, in accordance with the FSAI, with 4 closure orders and one prohibition order served on meals companies.
Two closure orders have been served on Sausage Paradise (butcher store), Pound Road, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon, which stays in impact and Padoca (restaurant/café), at 64 Capel Road, Dublin 1, which was lifted on December 21.
Whereas two additional closure orders have been served on Duck restaurant/café, at 15 Fade Road, Dublin 2, which stays in impact and Golden Phoenix Chinese language Restaurant, Primary Road, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, which was lifted on December 12.
One prohibition order, which prohibits the sale of a sure product, was served on The Arch Bar, situated on Primary Road, Swords, Co Dublin, which was lifted on December 22.
A few of the causes in December embrace blood from uncooked geese dripping onto ingredient baggage and containers, with water and blood-soaked cloths left on meals preparation surfaces.
Flies have been noticed on each uncooked geese and tools, with complete uncooked geese submerged in water in each meat and vegetable sinks; whereas flooring, partitions, cabinets, tools and employees uniforms have been discovered to be contaminated with water and blood from the sink.
“Seen mould development was noticed on structural and meals contact surfaces, indicating an absence of sufficient cleansing and disinfection,” the report states.
Inspectors additionally discovered ongoing cockroach infestations evident in meals preparation areas comparable to below fryers and within the fridge, with “open excessive threat meals” current within the “infested areas”.
An absence of hand washing amenities in stations the place uncooked meat is dealt with was noticed together with an absence of a probe thermometer and no proof of temperature monitoring.
“Gaps within the exterior partitions of the constructing and holes within the ceiling, posing a threat of entry by pests” was additionally found in one of many institutions.
Enforcements have been led by Environmental Well being Officers within the HSE, native authority veterinary inspectors, sea-fisheries safety officers and officers of the FSAI.
A few of the different causes for closures all year long embrace insufficient meals storage with the danger of contamination, a scarcity of pest management procedures comparable to monitoring and pest proofing and insufficient temperature management in meals storage, preparation and distribution.
Inadequate employees coaching in meals security, private hygiene and file holding have been additionally famous.
Ms Byrne pressured that it’s a “authorized obligation” for meals companies to make sure that they’re proactive in adhering to meals security laws.
“Every month, meals security inspectors discover related, primary and basic breaches of meals legislation, that are unacceptable. I’m urging meals companies this yr to prioritise and promote a tradition of meals security of their companies,” she added.
These companies named with reference to closure and prohibition orders have been contacted for remark.
