‘Dead rat discovered under a dishwasher’ among closure orders issued by food safety watchdog in October

11 businesses were served with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month, while two were handed prohibition orders for specific products.

Food businesses are served closure orders “where it is deemed there is or is likely to be” a danger to public health at the premises.

On October 16, Kimchi Hop House on Parnell Street in Dublin 1 was served a closure order after evidence of rodent activity was found at the restaurant.

Stock image. Photo: Kinga Krzeminska/Getty Images

Today’s News in 90 Seconds – Wednesday, November 12

This included the discovery of a dead rat under a dishwasher in the kitchen, and rat droppings found in the kitchen, sushi kitchen and service area. The order was lifted on November 4.

In the order served to Diamond Pizza in Drumcondra, Dublin 9, on October 15, inspectors noted the premises “was not maintained in good repair and condition”, with a “defective” plastic wall finish and a build-up of mould found on a wall behind one of the kitchen’s chill units.

The order on the pizza restaurant was lifted on October 21.

Camile Thai in Dolphin’s Barn, Dublin 8 was ordered to close on October 8 after evidence of rodent activity, including droppings found in the kitchen area, was discovered.

Cleaning of the premises was ordered to take place “immediately”, as well as a deep clean and sanitisation of the entire premises. The closure order was lifted on October 10.

In an order served on October 21 and lifted on October 24, the Crescent Stores was told to close its first floor store room and adjoining corridor area when mice droppings were found.

A prohibition order was served to the Foodliner Supermarket in Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon. The products withdrawn were chicken legs stored in a cold room and frozen meat stored in an ice cream chest freezer.

A number of products were withdrawn under a prohibition order served to Lucaci Fast Travel on the Lagan Road in Dublin’s Cabra.

They included nine unidentified plastic bags of frozen meat, 20 unidentified frozen meat products in polystyrene boxes and 13 five-litre bottles of wine or “purple coloured liquid” that could not be identified by staff.

“October’s Enforcement Orders once again highlight the importance of maintaining strong food safety and hygiene practices across all food businesses,” FSAI chief executive Greg Dempsey said.

“Issues such as inadequate pest control, poor cleaning standards and unsafe food storage continue to be the main reasons for enforcement action.

“These are entirely preventable non-compliances when proper food safety management systems are in place.

“While the majority of food businesses take their legal responsibilities very seriously, we continue to see a small number of businesses subject to enforcement action, including closure, due to their non-compliances with basic food safety standards.”

Mr Dempsey reminded food businesses that safety “must always be their top priority” as the busy Christmas season approaches.