Six food businesses closed due to poor hygiene levels

Six premises, including a hotel restaurant in the midlands, a restaurant in Bray and an Abrakebabra fast-food outlet in central Dublin, were served with closure orders last month because of sub-standard hygiene.

This follows the introduction by the EU last month of strict hygiene rules for the State's 45,000 catering businesses to protect consumers from food safety hazards.

A closure order is served when it is deemed that there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health on a premises.

The chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dr John O'Brien, said the six closure orders and a prohibition order on a cold-store facility in Clondalkin were "seven too many".

"The enforcement powers are used when there is, or is likely to be, a serious threat to public health," he said. "They are not used for minor infringements, so it means standards have fallen very low when enforcement officers have to resort to using these powers."

Dr O'Brien said food business operators had a legal obligation to ensure the food they serve is safe for consumption. "Every enforcement order undermines consumer confidence in food safety, which affects not only the premises involved but the industry as a whole," he said.

"We are urging all food businesses to adhere to best food safety and hygiene practices."

The closure orders included the Munch restaurant on Strand Road, Bray, Co Wicklow; the Abrakebabra restaurant in Temple Bar, Dublin; and the restaurant of the Village Hotel in Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath, a well-known landmark on the N6 between Dublin and Galway.

The bar and sandwich bar in the reception area of the Village Hotel remain open.

The other three premises served with closure orders were the Katie's Kitchen chip van and American Express chip van, both in Clones, Co Monaghan, and the First and Fast Chinese takeaway on Castle Street, Roscommon.

A prohibition order was served on the Trailercare Holdings Ltd cold store at Robinhood Industrial Estate, Clondalkin. Such an order involves either a permanent or a temporary ban on food sold from a premises.