‘Disturbing’: Fly and cockroach infestations among the reasons for food business closure orders in July

"A reckless attitude to food safety and a disregard for the health of their customers."

Eight Irish restaurants and food businesses were given closure orders last month after failing to meet food safety standards. The premises, located in Dublin, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Limerick, Carlow and Kildare, were ordered to shut temporarily by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) after inspectors noticed issues at each during the month of July. In one business, a bird flew out of the kitchen and out a back door. In several others, there was evidence of fly and cockroach infestations. Restaurants were also caught filling out false temperature and cleaning records in advance, according to the FSAI. A closure order was served on Needs Asian Grocery (Butcher Shop), Unit 3 Closh Business Park, Staplestown Road, Carlow. Inspectors meanwhile handed down seven closure orders under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010. The businesses affected were:

• Okra Green (Restaurant/Café), 1 Island View, Howth, Co. Dublin
• Govindas Restaurant (Restaurant/Café), 83 Abbey Street Middle, Dublin 1
• Fresh Bite (Takeaway), Green Street, Callan, Kilkenny
• Tang City (Restaurant/Café), Kickham Street, Nenagh, Tipperary
• Tasty Bites (Takeaway), Main Street, Caherconlish, Limerick
• Diamond Pizza (Restaurant/Café), 163 Drumcondra Road Lower, Dublin 9
• China Kitchen (Service sector – Other), Unit 7, Captains Hill, Leixlip, Kildare

The FSAI has called on food businesses to take food safety and customer health more seriously.

"It is extremely disturbing that a food business would fill out their records in advance with completely nonfactual information," said FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne. "This behavior demonstrates a reckless attitude to food safety and a disregard for the health of their customers." "Food businesses must act responsibly to prevent these serious breaches of food legislation.”