Filth of November..
Rats, cockroaches and pigeon faeces force food firm closures
THE discovery of a live rat, cockroaches and pigeon faeces led to the closure of a record amount of food outlets last month.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued 21 closure orders and two prohibition orders in November.
FSAI chief Dr Pamela Byrne yesterday slammed the figure as “totally unacceptable”.
She said: “The presence of rodents and pests presents a grave and immediate danger to health and food businesses must put in place more robust pest control systems.”
The companies hit with enforcement orders include an Apache Pizza store in Dame Street, Dublin, which was forced to close on November 11 after a “live rodent” was spotted.
Rodent droppings were also located near “ready to eat food” and raw sewage was on the floor of a toilet. The pizzeria had the order lifted two days later.
New Century Chinese Takeaway in Dundalk, Co Louth, had to close because of a “grave and immediate danger”.
An inspector said: “Evidence of rodent activity was found in the kitchen and bar, posing a
IN A FLAP risk of contamination to food, food preparation surfaces, equipment and utensils.” The order issued on November 23 has yet to be lifted.
The packaging area of Vernon Catering at Upper East Wall, Dublin, was shut down after “substantial pigeon faeces” were found. The prohibition order handed down on November 20 remains in place.
An apparent infestation of cockroaches forced Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant on Capel Street, Dublin, to close its doors for four days on November 8.
Live cockroaches were found in an open container of nuts, on shelves and on the kitchen floor.
Dead cockroaches were spotted in a container, behind a fridge and in a storage area.
■ For further information visit www.fsai.ie.