There was a 30 per cent increase in closure orders on food premises served by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in the first six months of the year.
The increase from 18 to 24 was revealed yesterday in the June report, which showed three closure orders were served during the month for breaches of food safety.
Orders were served on the Taj Mahal, 47 Patrick Street, Waterford, and by the South Western Health Board on The Mandarin Castle Chinese takeaway, Main Street, Rathangan, Kildare. The third closure order was served by the North Western Health Board on Mr Aaron McQuaid to close his food stall in Manorcunningham, Co Donegal.
Closure orders are served when it is deemed, upon inspection, that there is, or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health. The premises remains listed on the FSAI website for three months after it is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issues.