Seven food businesses, including four in Dublin's south city centre, have been closed down in the last two months because they posed a threat to public health.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today said the seven closure orders served by environmental health officers brought the total number this year to 18.
Last month, two businesses operating at the Market Arcade at South Great George's Street, Dublin, were shut down. They were Lara Lu Foods take-away at no. 1 Market Arcade and Loose & Green, at stall 17 in the arcade.
An Indian restaurant, Jewel in the Crown, 5 South William Street, Dublin 2, was also closed down for health reasons. Ba Mizu, at unit 19 in the nearby Powerscourt Centre, was also ordered to shut down.
The fifth closure order was served on Foodstall (97 RN 2586), Ballingare, Castlerea, Co Roscommon.
In July, closure orders were served on Crystal Supermart, 88 Summerhill, Dublin 1 and on The Mucky Duck (kitchen and carvery only), Main Street, Celbridge, Kildare.
FSAI chief executive Dr John O'Brien said food businesses needed to address their food safety systems so such orders could be avoided in the future.
"Although the majority of Irish food businesses are fully committed to maintaining high standards in the interests of their customers' health; there are still those few who continue to disregard the basic minimum requirements placed upon them," he said.
"Protecting customers' health in relation to food has to be the central motivation for a food business to comply with the minimum food safety requirements set out in food legislation."