The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has released the reasons behind the closures of three Dublin businesses in March.
Closure Orders were served on three food businesses in the capital last month for breaches of food safety legislation.
The Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:
- Taka Ra (Restaurant/Café), 37 Abbey Street Upper, Dublin 1
- The Old Punch Bowl (Pub) (Closed area: kitchen and food storage area on first floor only, bars not affected), 116 Rock Road, Booterstown, County Dublin
Three popular Dublin food businesses forced to close in March due to food safety concerns
One Closure Order was served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:
- Victoria Asian Cuisine (Restaurant/Café), 5a The Crescent, Monkstown, County Dublin
Victoria Asia Cuisine 5a The Crescent in Monkstown was served with the notice on 28 March but reopened the following day.
Taka Ra at 37 Abbey Street Upper was forced to close on 21 March and reopened on March 25.
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The Old Punch Bowl at 116 Rock Road Booterstown was issued with the order on 11 March and also reopened the next day.
The FSAI found "fresh looking rat droppings" and "significant rat droppings and what looked to be gnawed paper" behind a small and large chest freezer in Taka Ra.
As well as this, evidence of rodents was also found in The Old Punch Bowl.
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They said that "a large amount of rodent droppings were scattered on the floor of the dry good store directly adjacent to the kitchen. This area is used to store foodstuffs."
Also, "a large amount rodent droppings were noted at the back of the upright and chest freezers located in the kitchen area."
The FSAI state that both business faced "a grave and immediate danger to food safety because rodents can transmit harmful pathogens through their droppings and urine."
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Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI emphasised that food businesses are not providing adequate care for their customers if they do not have a pest control system in place.
She said: “The most common non-compliances identified in Irish food businesses during March were a significant lack of pest control, coupled with filthy conditions.
"It is alarming to see consistent reporting of rodent activity noted in food businesses. Rodents harbour bacteria and spread harmful pathogens, contaminating food and surfaces.
"Food inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk through a failure to comply with pest control and hygiene requirements, which is unacceptable.
She concluded: “Food businesses run the risk of making their customers sick through exposing food to pests and ruining their reputation with consumers by neglecting basic food safety management and hygiene standards. Negligent practices will not be tolerated."
