Four food businesses were ordered to shut down over safety breaches last month, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) said today.
Closure orders were served on the restaurant at Scaville Lodge, Duncormick, Co Wexford, Papa Entis Pizzeria & Take Away, Main Street, Arva, Co Cavan and the first floor kitchen of Shebeen Cuisine at "The Vineyard", Patrick Street, Cork.
The main kitchen of the Abbeyfield Hotel Conference and Leisure Centre Limited, Sligo Road, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon was served with two closure orders.
A closure order is issued if the FSAI rules there is or there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health in the food premises. The order can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities.
The Scaville Lodge and Abbeyfield centre have since reopened for business.
A prohibition order was issued to the first floor kitchen of Shebeen Cuisine at "The Vineyard", Patrick Street, Cork.
Businesses are served with prohibition orders if their activities involve or are likely to involve a serious risk to public health from a particular product, class, batch or item of food.
FSAI chief executive Prof Alan Reilly said it was disappointing that there was a notable increase in enforcement orders served last month.
"We would urge food businesses to use our resources to ensure that they have the highest standards in place to ensure maximum food safety hygiene practices,” he said. “Our number one priority is the protection of consumer health and we are a resource to assist food businesses comply with the necessary standards and legal obligation in this area.”
Prof Reilly encouraged food businesses to visit the FSAI website, which provides advice on a broad range of food safety issues.