Sixty Nine Enforcement Orders Served on Food Businesses in 2017

Tuesday, 9 January 2018

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today stated that 69 Enforcement Orders were served on food businesses for breaches in food safety legislation in 2017, declining by over a third (35%) compared to 2016 (106). The FSAI outlined the importance of robust food safety management procedures and stressed that the responsibility lies with food businesses to ensure that the food they sell is compliant with food safety legislation and is safe to eat.

Between 1st January and 31st December 2017, food inspectors served 64 Closure Orders, one Improvement Order and four Prohibition Orders on food businesses throughout the country. The types of recurring food safety issues that lead to Enforcement Orders are: evidence of rodent infestation and rodent droppings; failure to maintain temperatures of foodstuffs; filthy conditions; unsuitable food storage facilities and improper or lack of water facilities.

In late 2017, the FSAI began publishing the full details of the Enforcement Orders which is in line with its objective to increase transparency as a regulator and to raise food safety and hygiene standards in food businesses. Enforcement Orders are served on food businesses only when a serious risk to consumer health has been established or where there are a number of ongoing serious breaches of food legislation.

Some of the reasons for Enforcement Orders in December include a defective drainage system in a toilet located near a food preparation room; no running water; mouse droppings; food stored in dirty containers; filthy premises; and no food safety management system.

During the month of December 2017, seven Closure Orders were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010. The Closure Orders were issued by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Three Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

• Ruposhe Indian Restaurant, 1 Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
• Cartons Daybreak (grocery), Clonhenritt, Camolin, Wexford
• Boojum Food Stall, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15

 Four Closure Orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:

• Tigh Giblin (Closed area: the kitchen and all food preparation and storage areas), Bruach Na Habhainn, Spiddal, Galway
• Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant, 1 Church Street, Douglas, Cork
• Athboy Pizza's (take away), Main Street, Athboy, Meath
• China Town (take away), Main Street, Castlebellingham, Louth

During the month of November, one prosecution was taken by the Health Service Executive in relation to:

• Chef's Corner (take away), 14 Georges Quay, Cork

Commenting on the annual figures, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI stressed the serious nature of a food business being served an Enforcement Order.  

    “While it is very encouraging to see Enforcement Orders drop significantly for 2017 compared with 2016, 69 Enforcement Orders is still too many. Unfortunately, there continues to be a minority of food businesses not complying with their legal requirements. Food businesses must recognise that they are legally bound to ensure that the food they serve is safe to eat. Consumers have a right to safe food."

    "Enforcement Orders are only issued by Enforcement Officers when they have sufficient evidence that a serious breach of food safety has been committed. Closure Orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities,” Dr Byrne concluded.

The full details of the Enforcement Orders served on food businesses are published on the FSAI website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premise is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.

Enforcement Order Reports