Two closures over food safety breaches

Two Clare food businesses were forced to close last month after breaching food safety legislation.

Enforcement Orders were issued to Woks Cooking takeaway, Garraun, Parteen and Charlie Stewarts/Seasons 52 restaurant, 76 Parnell Street, Ennis during March. The closure order on Charlie Stewarts/Seasons 52 excluded the bar area.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) reported that five Closure Orders and two Prohibition Orders were served on food businesses during the month of March for breaches in food safety legislation and EC regulations. The Enforcement Orders were issued by environmental health officers (EHOs) in the HSE West Region, the HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster Region, the HSE Dublin North East Region and the HSE South Region.
As well as the two Clare premises, Closure Orders were served on three restaurants in Dublin. Prohibition Orders were served on a further Dublin business and one in Cork.
Commenting on these latest Enforcement Orders, Prof Alan Reilly, chief executive, FSAI, stated that vigilance is always required in relation to food safety and standards must not be permitted to slip to such levels that consumer health is put at risk.
“The seven Enforcement Orders served in March is an unacceptable statistic to be reporting. Food business operators must recognise that the legal onus is on them to be responsible and ensure that the food they serve is safe to eat. The FSAI has stressed again and again, that a basic food safety management system is not difficult to implement, so it is disappointing that there continues to be food business operators who choose not to comply with this legal requirement.”  
“If food businesses are unsure of what is required of them by law, we offer expert advice through our advice line (1890 336677) that food businesses can contact with any queries they may have in relation to food safety. There’s no excuse for ignorance of the legal food safety requirements,” he added.