Food enforcement orders drop in 2003
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said that 62 enforcement orders were served on Irish food business from January 1 to December 31, 2003, compared to 69 for the same period in 2002.
Enforcement officers served 35 Closure Orders, 26 Improvement Orders and one Prohibition Order last year.
The FSAI has urged food businesses to prioritise their food safety and hygiene practices in 2004, as it and other official agencies continue a rigorous inspection of compliance with food safety regulations.
In December alone, three Improvement Orders were issued by Environmental health officers (EHOs) under the FSAI Act, 1998.
Mr Peter Whelan, Director of Service Contracts, FSAI said although he was heartened that the number of Enforcement Orders issued fell to 62 in 2003, it was still not enough and indicated that some food businesses were not adhering to food safety management systems.
"Although 62 is a very small percentage of the 42,500 food businesses in Ireland, there is only a marginal decrease in the number of Orders in 2002."
