‘Cockroaches climbing on walls’ among reasons for 7 food business closures last month

"Cockroaches climbing on walls" and "unclean clothes" were among the reasons for the seven food safety closure orders issued last month.

Meat being kept at room temperature, open backdoors, and no record of staff hygiene training were also included in the list of Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reasons for the closure orders. The businesses were served their orders in October for breaches of food safety regulations. The restaurants and takeaway were in Dublin, Louth, Limerick, Cork, and Kerry. The closure orders served were for the following businesses:

• Tasty Hut (takeaway), 61 Dorset Street, Dublin 1
• Diner Thai & Chinese Take-away, 1 Ongar Square, Dublin 15
• Mi Thai (restaurant), 87b Manor Street, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7
• Regent Inn (restaurant/café), Unit 3, Haymarket, Drogheda, Louth
• Speedo Pizza Kebab (takeaway), 41 Lord Edward Street, Limerick
• Phoenix House (takeaway), Unit 6, Riversdale, Rathcormac, Cork
• Mike Sheahan Butchers, Church Street, Caherciveen, Kerry

One prohibition order was served for:

• Sheahan Butchers, Church Street, Caherciveen, Kerry

And one prosecution was served for:

• Zam Zam Kebab House, 16 Mallin Street, Wexford

FSAI chief executive Dr. Pamela Byrne said there continues to be large numbers of food businesses failing to comply to food and hygiene practices. She said:

"In one case there was even a widespread cockroach infestation throughout a premises. There were cases of inadequate refrigeration and the potential for cross-contamination too. "This is not acceptable in any food business at any time, as it poses a serious risk to public health. Food businesses need to ensure that their premises has the right food safety management procedures in place to ensure pest control and best hygiene practice at all times.”

The full list of reasons for the closures can be found here.