‘Dead rodent found’ – Nine Irish businesses forced to close over breach of food safety laws

Nine Irish businesses were forced to close by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland [FSAI] last month over breaches of food safety laws.

The enforcement orders were served across the country to takeaways, a cafe and a garage shop during the month of May by the FSAI.

Istanbul Bite, located in Youghal, Cork, were requested to close its potato peeling room and boiler room due to inspectors discovering ‘large accumulations of rodent droppings’ which posed a ‘grave and immediate danger to public health’.

Also closed in Cork was an Applegreen garage in Cobh, after a dead rodent was found by inspectors under a chest freezer in the store room. Additionally, rodent droppings were found in other parts of the business.

Over in Dublin, 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 were all told to close.

Johnson Best Food was closed due to food defrosting being found on the floor, not having a wash hand basin in the kitchen or food preparation area, and dirt, grease, dust and food debris located under and behind cooking equipment and work units. The takeaway also breached rules by having a lack of food labelling.

Inspectors found food debris, dirt, cobwebs and dead insects on the floors and in staff toilets at the Dublin Pizza Company.

The Drumcondra Mizzoni’s branch was found to have no evidence of having an active pest control system and had a lack of ‘adequate and regular cleaning’.

The D1 Cafe was found to have food stored at the wrong temperature and raw burgers being stored past their use-by date.

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

Speaking about the breaches, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, told RTÉ: ‘This month has seen a decrease in closure orders from April, with a reduction of over 50% in orders served.

‘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,’ she said.