Three closure orders were served on Irish food businesses in Cavan, Donegal and Cork at the end of August, a drop from eight in the early part of the month.
The three orders, served on a pub, a canteen and an abattoir, bring to 43 the number of food businesses closed this year.
According to the latest Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) figures, no businesses were closed in September, but one improvement order was issued in Tipperary and one prohibition order was served in Donegal.
Commenting on the latest figures, Dr Patrick Wall, chief executive of the FSAI, said that with over 37,000 food premises operating in Ireland, five enforcement orders was not many.
But he added: "The enforcement powers are used when there is, or is likely to be, a serious threat to public health. They are not used for minor infringements and standards have fallen very low when enforcement officers have to resort to using these powers."
The closure orders, which are served if it is deemed there is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health, were served on Mr John Lovett, The Mart Canteen, Railway Road, Cavan; and the proprietors of Inishowen Taverns Ltd for The Mean Fiddler Public House, Pound Street, Carndonagh, Co Donegal; and Messrs Hugh and Noel Duane, Main Street, Carrigaline, Co Cork.