Cork shop where ‘accumulations of rodent droppings’ were observed issued with enforcement order 

A Midleton-based retailer is one of seven businesses across Ireland that was issued with an enforcement order in the last month.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that Mercury Eastern European Food located at Unit 25 in Midleton Business Enterprise Park was one of seven businesses served with an enforcement order for breaches of food safety legislation under the FSAI Act 1998 and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020.

The report noted a dead rodent under pallets on the shop floor where food was displayed, large accumulations of rodent droppings throughout the shop, on shelving and underneath pallets storing food, and food that was on sale appeared to have been interfered with due to evidence of gnawed packaging.

The enforcement order, which was served on June 13 after inspectors found that there was or was likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health, was later lifted on June 25.

Other orders 

Two additional closure orders were served on businesses under the FSAI Act 1998, including Board (the upper storey of the building) on 29 Clanbrassil Street Upper in Dublin 8 and Giraffe Childcare Limited on Merrion Road in Dublin – both of which have since been lifted.

Two closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on Chinese Gourmet Restaurant in Oldcastle, Meath which is still in effect and on Chrysanthemum in Rathfarnham, Dublin which has since been lifted.

Two prohibition orders were also served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on Johnson Best Food African Take Away in Dublin 1 and The Roadhouse in Mullingar, Westmeath.

Reasons for enforcement orders 

Some of the reasons for the enforcement orders in June included two mouse carcasses under a sink and under a toilet; a significant amount of rodent droppings under a sink; evidence of rat infestation; inadequate pest proofing; flies walking on cooked chicken; a dead rodent under pallets on the shop floor; mould on walls and ceilings; and food being prepared and handled in a kitchen which was subject to a closure order.

Chief executive of the FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne, said: “Consumers have a right to safe food. Under food law, it is the legal responsibility of food businesses to ensure that the food they sell to the consumer is safe to eat.

“If anyone experiences unfit food, poor hygiene standards or notices a breach of food law in a food business, we encourage them to contact us via our online complaint form at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter.

“Reporting inappropriate and unsafe food practices provides us with information that we can act upon. Food safety legislation is put in place to protect the health of consumers and to uphold the standards of the food industry.

“We strongly encourage food business operators to continuously improve their food safety standards via regular training, availing of online resources, as well as promoting a strong culture of food safety within their businesses.”