Ten food businesses in Ireland were issued closure orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in May due to various violations.

Some of the reasons for the closure orders included rodent droppings, dead insects, unclean cooking supplies, and an unregistered business operating in a shared building with a car workshop.

The closure orders were issued by environmental health officers in the HSE and FSAI.

Five Closure Orders Under FSAI Act 1998:

• Haperty Limited – Trading at Mind Mega Mela 2025 (takeaway), St Margaret’s Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
• Spice Village & Indian Kebab House (takeaway), Ferry Road, Tarbert, Kerry
• Houda Foods (wholesaler/distributor), Unit 5, Ballinlough Business Park, Ballinlough, Roscommon
• Heyba’s Kitchen, trading at Shed A3 Bremore Farm, Flemington Lane, Bremore, Balbriggan, Dublin
• Stop n Shop Convenience Store (wholesaler/distributor), 52-54 Tullow Street, Carlow

Five Closure Orders Under EU Regulations 2020:

• Kerala Royal Caters (service sector), Unit 27C, Ashbourne Business Centre, Ballybin Road, Ashbourne, Meath
• Pizza Corner (takeaway), Main Street Caherconlish, Limerick
• Shake Dog (restaurant/café), Unit 23, Showgrounds Shopping Centre, Clonmel, Tipperary
• Thindi (service sector), 143 Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7
• Tasty Food (takeaway), Unit 2, Cross Avenue, Ballyneety, Limerick

During inspections, various violations were found including rodent droppings, dead insects, dirt, and dust in food handling areas and equipment. For example, Heyba’s Kitchen was found to operate in a shared building with a car workshop.

At Thindi on Phibsborough Road, Dublin 7, inspectors found faecal matter on the staff toilet bowl rim, along with unclean toilet seats. The closure order was lifted on 21 May.

Haperty Limited was storing food incorrectly at an outdoor festival, and no food safety management records were available. Raw fish and chicken were found stored at improper temperatures.

Inspectors at Houda Foods found mouse droppings in the warehouse where food is stored, highlighting the need for proper pest control measures.

FSAI chief Greg Dempsey emphasized the importance of food safety management systems and proper training for staff to prevent such violations, stating that all food businesses have a legal obligation to ensure food safety.

He also warned that businesses operating without proper registration and supervision will be pursued using legal powers.