Rodent activity among reasons for FSAI closure orders

Rodent activity, mouse carcasses found in a warehouse and raw chicken stored in used chip boxes were among the reasons for six closure orders issued to food businesses last month.

According to the latest report from the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Universal Food Wholesale Distribution Limited, Unit B3 National Enterprise Park, Togher, Portlaoise in Co Laois, was served with a closure order due to the presence of rodent droppings in the warehouse and delivery areas of the premises.

Inspectors also noted six mouse carcasses beneath the shelving racks and around the edges of the warehouse floor.

The FSAI inspectors said “there were a number of spillages of foodstuffs around the floor, which had not been cleaned up and were providing a food source for the mice”.

At the same site, a number of gaps/holes were discovered around the floor of the warehouse storage area beneath the shelving racks “which were obvious entry routes for mice”.

Separately in February, Day to Day on the Boyne Road, Hayestown, Navan in Co Meath, was issued with a closure order for not having adequate procedures in place to prevent or control “the ingress of pests into the food premises”.

Inspectors noted there was “evidence of an active rodent infestation in the rear food storage area where prepackaged foods, food contact materials and equipment are stored”.

There was evidence on the premises of rodent activity at the front service counter in close proximity to the deli area alongside the ice cream server area where open foods are handled and stored, and the main shop floor.

‘Long history of non-compliance’

While a takeaway in Tipperary – Bombay Kebab House, 3 Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Suir – was issued a closure order after “poor hygiene practices” were observed.

Potentially high-risk, ready-to-eat foods, and other cooked foods, were found at potentially unsafe temperatures, including cooked chicken pieces at 10.4C in a countertop refrigerator.

Inspectors noted the business “has a long history of non-compliance with food safety regulatory requirements” and that what was witnessed at the time of the inspection “demonstrates a clear lack of management commitment to ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements”.

The other food businesses subject to closure order last month include Far East, 339 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10; Tank & Skinny’s @ Number 6, Courtyard Shopping Centre, Letterkenny, Co Donegal; and Lams, 286 Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10.

Meanwhile in February, a prohibition order was served on Burren Smokehouse, Kincora Road, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare.

The company, which sells a range of fish products, failed to produce batch records to officials, failed to take measures to protect consumers regarding batches that when tested provided “unsatisfactory results” and failed to notify the relevant authorities of the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some of its batches.

The aim of a prohibition order is to prohibit the sale of a product, either temporarily or permanently.

Commenting on the February enforcement orders, FSAI CEO Greg Dempsey said they “serve as an important reminder that food safety must always be a top priority for all food businesses”.

Mr Dempsey said regular check and adherence to food safety and hygiene standards “are essential to protect consumers’ health and maintain public trust”.

“There are no excuses for failing to comply with legal requirements and any lapse in food safety practices puts consumers at direct risk,” he added.