Popular Dublin food spot receives closure order for ‘active rodent infestation’

"Food businesses must do better."

Freshly Chopped and Neat Pizza in Fairview, Dublin 3, received a closure order from the FSAI last month after rodent droppings were found in the kitchen area.

Fresh rodent droppings, which carry pathogens like salmonella, were found behind the pizza oven, under the dishwasher, and in the services cupboard of the kitchen

The restaurant was served the closure order on August 19, which was then lifted on August 27.

Jazz Chinese Restaurant in Coolock Village was also closed due to active rodent infestation found by inspectors.

Rodent droppings were found under the microwave and rice cooker, and in the storage area above the cold room where food packaging was stored.

Popular Dublin food spot receives closure order for 'active rodent infestation'

The six other closure orders for August were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

They include:

Baalbec Take Away, which was shut for using the outdoor area to peel and prepare potatoes, Al Huda Grocery, where dead cockroaches were found, and Divine Catering, whose extension was not suitable to food hygiene practices, all remain closed.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, warned that there is a legal responsibility for food businesses to act responsibly and ensure the food they provide to their customers is safe to eat.

“Whilst most food businesses follow high food safety standards and are compliant with food law, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk through a failure to comply with food safety and basic hygiene requirements,” she said.

“These non-compliances are avoidable, and we have zero tolerance for any food business that does not comply with its legal requirements.

“Food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure the safe supply of food and it is unacceptable that basic procedures like handwashing, cleaning, robust pest control measures and storing food correctly at the appropriate temperature are not being properly followed.

"Food businesses must do better."