Water shortage: Food businesses urged not to put public at risk

Food businesses and childcare providers in the northeast have been warned it is their responsibility not to put the health of the public at risk during the current water crisis.

Water resources in Drogheda town, Clogherhead and Termonfeckin will continue to be rationed this week following the rupture of a major water main last Thursday.

Issuing general advice for food businesses and childcare operators, the Health Service Executive (HSE) said they should take heed of any specific information issued in their local areas by the local authority, Irish Water and the HSE.

Dr Peter Finnegan, a HSE specialist in public health medicine based at the Department of Public Health in Navan, advised that a potable supply of water must be provided in all food premises, as required by the EC (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2006.

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A potable water supply means a water supply that is suitable for drinking purposes or for use in connection with food or food equipment.

The suitability of a water supply for such purposes is set out in the standards required under the EU directive on the quality of water intended for human consumption.

“It is the responsibility of the food businesses and childcare operators to ensure that food prepared and/or served in their premises does not put the health of the public at risk,” Dr Finnegan said.

“Food business operators need to assess the risk in their own food premises and in so doing may need to decide to reduce or cease trading for the duration of the disruption to the water supply.”

HSE environmental health officers will continue to work with the food business and childcare operators in affected areas.

General advice for those living in areas where there is a disruption to water supplies as well as information for those operating food businesses and childcare settings is available at hse.ie