Dead rodent found as FSAI issue closure orders

Takeaways, a cafe and garage shop have been ordered to close for breaches of food safety laws.

Nine enforcement orders were served on businesses last month by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland.

In Cork, Istanbul Bite in Youghal was told to close its boiler room and potato peeling room after “large accumulations of rodent droppings” were found which inspectors said posed a “grave and immediate danger to public health”.

The shop in an Applegreen garage in Cobh, Co Cork, was also told to close after a dead rodent was found under a chest freezer in the store room. Rodent droppings were also found in other parts of the business.

Takeaways in Dublin told to close were Johnson Best Food African Take Away in Summerhill, Dublin Pizza Company on Aungier Street, Mizzoni’s Pizza in Glasnevin and D1 Cafe and Bakery on Dorset Street.

Inspectors at Johnson Best Food found food defrosting on the floor, no wash hand basin in the kitchen or food preparation area and dirt, grease, dust and food debris under and behind cooking equipment and work units, as well as a lack of food labelling.

At the Dublin Pizza Company inspectors found food debris, dirt, cobwebs and dead insects noted on floors and staff toilets in an “unhygienic condition”.

Mizzoni’s in Drumcondra was found to have a lack of “adequate and regular cleaning” and no evidence of an active pest control system.

Inspectors at the D1 Cafe found food stored at the wrong temperature and raw burgers stored beyond their use-by date.

Prohibition orders were also served on Fresh Oriental Store on Abbey Street Upper in Dublin city centre and the The Village Grocer in Ballyporeen, Tipperary.

Fresh Oriental was told to get rid of a range of duck products due to inadequate labelling.

At The Village Grocer inspectors found the business selling out-of-date food.

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that breaches of food safety legislation pose a danger to consumer health.

“This month has seen a decrease in closure orders from April, with a reduction of over 50% in orders served,” Dr Byrne said.

“By neglecting to uphold basic food safety and hygiene standards, a business not only jeopardises the health of its customers, but also risks damaging its own reputation as a trustworthy food business.”