These Three Irish Food Businesses Were Forced To Close Due To “Evidence Of Rodents”

On Monday, we brought you the news that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) had served closure orders for breaches of food safety legislation for the month of November to four businesses.

On Thursday, FSAI also stated that the reason three of these four places had closed was due to evidence of rodents on the premises. 

The premises in question were:

• Iceland Stores Ireland Limited (retailer), Unit 1, Gorey Retail Park, Courtown Road, Gorey, Wexford
• Canteen operated by Get Fresh (Vending) Ltd, T/A Get Fresh Catering (Closed Area: Dining area, front servery, rear wash up/dry goods store and rear food preparation room), Beaufort College, Trim Road, Navan, Co. Meath
• AD Cash and Carry (Wholesaler/ Distributor), Unit 3/4, St. James Industrial Park, Kylemore Way, Inchicore, Dublin 8

In a statement on their website, FSAI Chief Executive Dr. Pamela Byrne said that food businesses needed to be extra safe especially in the lead up to Christmas. 

“The three Closure Orders in November cited inadequate procedures in pest control which resulted in evidence of rodents in all three premises. 

“This is not acceptable in any food business at any time, as it poses a serious risk to public health. Food businesses need to ensure that their premises has the right food safety management procedures in place to ensure pest control at all times.

“Also, with the busy Christmas season well underway, food businesses must ensure that they can cope with the extra customer demand and must recognise the main food safety risk factors that can cause foodborne illness and are easily preventable. 

“For example: poor hygiene in food premises; inadequate refrigeration; inadequate cooking or re-heating; cross-contamination from raw to cooked food; contaminated raw ingredients; inadequately trained or supervised staff.”

The FSAI release a monthly update of closure orders which can be found on their website. 

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