Enforcement orders for pub, takeway outlet

Food safety got off to a disappointing start this year with two enforcement orders served on food businesses in January.

A closure order was served on Cunningham's takeaway in Castlemartyr, Co Cork, by environmental health officers for breaching food safety legislation.

Kelly's Public House, of Castlebar Street, Westport, Co Mayo, was issued with an improvement order.

A closure order is served on a food business when it is deemed that it is, or is likely to pose a danger to public health.

An improvement notice is served when it is decided that any activity involving the handling and preparation of food or the condition of a premises is of such a nature that if it persists it will or is likely to pose a risk to public health.

Dr John O'Brien, Chief Executive, of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, described it as a disappointing start to the year. "While the number of closures each month remains small, the fact that there are any at all is unacceptable," he said.

"Most orders are served because of the same easily preventable faults - dirty premises, unhygienic practices, untrained staff, pest infestation and cross-contamination from raw to cooked foods."