Thurles Information

Four food closure orders were served on food businesses in Ireland during the month of October, one of which was on a Chinese ‘Take Away’ premises in South Co. Tipperary.

The closure orders were pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998, and the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

All four ‘Closure Orders’; three of which were at Dublin addresses, were issued by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive, for flagrant breaches of strict food safety legislation.

The Tipperary Closure Order was served on Zhang Yu Qing and referred to the

According to the Food Hygiene Inspection Report, the Clogheen Food premises was not kept clean or maintained in good repair and condition.

Evidence provided included:-

• Large accumulation of loose food waste, domestic waste, and recycling waste thrown in all areas of the back yard.
• Build-up of slime and grease in ground area of backyard.
• Food equipment and utensils stored on the ground outside and inside.
• Uncovered ready to eat food stored in outside backyard area.
• Embedded grease and dirt on all cooking appliances in kitchen.
• Accumulation of dead flies on food storage shelf in cooking area.
• Congealed grease dripping onto food preparation surfaces.
• Food storage containers unclean and embedded with dirt.
• Food utensils with rust evident.
• Piping surrounding sinks embedded with congealed dirt grease and slime.
• Mould evident on seals of chest freezer and fridges.
• Large build-up of stale food debris around all cooking equipment.
• Food waste bins covered in Grease, stale food and dirt not removed since day before.

Commenting on all four Closure Orders served last month, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said it was disappointing that inspectors continue to find a lack of evidence of safe cleaning practices in food businesses.
Dr Byrne stated “It is a legal requirement for all food businesses to have their premises protected against pests and kept clean and yet food inspectors continue to find unacceptable levels of non-compliance with food safety legislation in some food businesses.
There is a personal responsibility for managers and all employees to comply with food safety law at all times. There can be zero tolerance for negligent practices that put consumers’ health at risk and Environmental Health Officers will use the full powers available to them under food law if a food business is found to be in breach. Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat,”