A busy Dublin restaurant was ordered to close by the Food Safety Authority after a live mouse was found in its kitchen.
The Greenery, at 3 Eirpage House in Donnybrook, Dublin 4, was ordered shut by an inspector last August.
A report described the premises as a “grave an immediate danger to food safety”.
The Greenery got the order on August 21 after “a live mouse was find in the kitchen” where food that was “ready to eat” was being stored and prepared.
Rodent droppings were also found in a container used for storing food, as well as on a lid that was "ready to use and would be in direct contact with food”.
The FSAI report said: “A large amount of rodent droppings was found behind on top of storage fridges including on electrical cables and extension leads.
“Droppings found in a container, storing lids for food storage containers, these lids were ready to use and would be in direct contact with food.
“Droppings found behind cooking equipment, behind service fridges, on shelving underneath the dishwasher.”
The premises addressed the issues and was cleared to open again on August 23.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI emphasised that compliance with food safety and hygiene regulations should be of the highest priority for all food businesses.
She said: “Filthy conditions, unhygienic practices and a lack of adequate pest control measures being in place are the main reasons for this month’s Closure Orders.
“It is essential that food businesses have a strong food safety and hygiene culture in their business, which can be achieved through ongoing training of all members of their team.
“Food safety inspectors are continuing to encounter basic errors being made by food businesses which are easily avoidable.
“Closure Orders are served on food businesses only when a risk to consumer health has been identified or where there are a number of ongoing breaches of food legislation, and that largely tends to relate to serious and grave hygiene or other operational issues.
“These Closure Orders indicate that not all food businesses are complying with the law and as a result, are potentially putting consumers’ health at serious risk.”
It was one of six businesses issued with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland last month.
Water company Celtic Pure was ordered to stop its production of “all Spring Waters and Production of other Waters from Well 3”.
It followed a reading at the Co Monaghan factory which showed levels of arsenic were above the allowed amount.
The company says it now fully complaint with regulations as it is sourcing water from other locations.
Other places that were served orders include Super Ketones at 76 Prospect Hill in Galway which closed due to hygiene, storage and pest control issues.
It was ordered to shut on August 22 and had not reopened as of August 31.
China City at 29 Thomas Davis St in Blackpool, Cork, was also issued with an order on August 20 and but reopened three days later.
Another Cork take away New Kebabish on 9 South Main Street in Youghal was closed for eight days from August 15.
And Kilkenny Kebabish on 26 Walkin Street was shut between August 16-19.
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