Rats, beetles, and dead cockroaches: 10 Irish food businesses served closure orders in July

Eva Osborne

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served 10 closure orders and two prohibition orders on Irish food businesses during the month of July for breaches of food safety legislation.

Some of the reasons for the enforcement orders include the presence of rats, beetles, and dead cockroaches in food preparation and/or storage areas.

Four of the closure orders were served under the FSAI Act 1998 on:

• Lidl Sallynoggin Road, Glenageary, Co Dublin;
• Creed’s Foodstore Burncourt Cahir, Co Tipperary;
• Brandon Hotel (Closed areas: All kitchen areas including dry goods store, wash up areas, staff canteen, restaurant and stills area). Prince's Street, Tralee, Co Kerry;
• Emerald Park (Closed area: The storage unit located to the rear of "coffee dock" in Emerald Park) Kilbrew Ashbourne, Co Meath.

The other closure orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on:

• Londis Athboy (Closed areas: the deli/food preparation area and ice cream service area) Connaught Street, Athboy, Co Meath;
• KRS Catering Stall (Closed activity: the service of all foods prepared off-site and transported to the venue. Closure does not apply to the sale/service of beverages and foods prepared on-site) Powerstown Park Racecourse, Clonmel, Co Tipperary;
• Tim Nessa 2A John's Street, Co Limerick;
• Hidden Dojo Asian Street food 47A Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7;
• Wakami Sushi & Asian 47A Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7;
• Costa Coffee 1 Dawson Street, Dublin 2.

Some of the reasons for the enforcement orders in July include: rat droppings found in a dishwasher room and food store and noted at a main customer entrance; inadequate means to wash hands preventing frequent handwashing in a kitchen; owners and staff not wearing clean protective clothing during food preparation; dead beetles observed in the bottom of a container of packaged food displayed for sale; and various foods such as meat and poultry based curries and yoghurt and vegetable based condiments being kept at unsafe temperatures.

As well as these, rat droppings were found in a storage unit which was used to store food and food contact materials such as reusable cups, lids and straws; numerous rodent droppings were noted on high and low level shelving where food was stored; dead cockroaches were found in a main kitchen under worksurfaces where food is prepared and under cooking equipment where food is cooked; and extensive food debris was found on the floor of the store room, on the shop floor and on the floor of a bakery.

One prohibition order was served under the FSAI Act,1998 on Ballymaguire Foods Unlimited Company, Rathmooney, Lusk, Co Dublin.

One prohibition order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on Timothy Onwuegbusi, 2A John's Street, Limerick and Emeka Ikebudu, 2A John's Street, Limerick.

Liseriosis outbreak

Chief executive of the FSAI, Greg Dempsey, said recent foodborne incidents serve as a "stark reminder" of the need for food businesses to maintain the highest food safety standards.

Last month, one person died after an "extensive outbreak" of listeriosis, and 201 ready meal products produced by Ballymaguire Foods were recalled due to the possible presence of listeria bacteria.

A week later, salad products from popular supermarkets like Supervalu and Tesco were recalled after Listeria was found.

"Consumers are entitled to expect that the food they purchase is safe, and food businesses have a clear legal and moral responsibility to ensure that it is," Dempsey said.

"The enforcement orders issued this month reflect serious, preventable breaches of food safety law. Every food business must take its responsibility to comply with food safety law seriously.

"The FSAI can provide support and advice to food businesses to help them meet their obligations. However, as demonstrated by the enforcement actions this month, where food businesses do not comply with their obligations, we will take action.”