The decline in the number of closure orders served on restaurants and take-ways this year was heartening, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
The FSAI reported that only 14 closure orders were served on food businesses in the first six months of 2002, compared to 24 for the same period last year and 51 closures in 2001.
FSAI chief executive, Dr Patrick Wall, said food businesses seem to be responding "very effectively" to improvement notices so more serious notices have not been required.
Praising the work of the environmental health officers, Dr Wall said the decline in closures indicates an improvement in the general compliance with food safety standards laws.
"The industry is now appreciating the benefit of tackling food problems before they become a danger to public health," he said.
Closure and improvement orders are listed on the FSAI website for three months. Prohibition orders are listed for one month after compliance.