12% rise in number of food businesses served with enforcement orders
A 12% increase in the number of businesses served with enforcement orders for breaching food safety laws was recorded last year.
Some 82 food business orders were served to firms across the country in 2011, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today revealed.
Between January 1 and December 31, 2011, enforcement officers served 66 closure orders, six improvement orders and 10 prohibition orders on food businesses throughout the country. This compares with 57 closure orders, four improvement orders and 12 prohibition orders issued in 2010.
"The 2011 enforcement figures represent an increase on the 2010 figures, which were themselves the highest seen in the past decade, a disappointing statistic to be reporting," said FSAI Chief Executive Professor Alan Reilly.
"2011 also saw two instances whereby the breach of closure orders led to High Court action being taken by the FSAI.
"The High Court’s decisions to uphold the closure orders were welcomed and should serve as a warning that non-compliance with enforcement orders will not be tolerated."
Professor Reilly said most food businesses were committed to high standards for the health of their customers and the good of their business.
"However, we urge food businesses to make sure that there is a food safety management system in place and that it is consulted on a regular basis and updated where necessary throughout the year," he said.
The FSAI also revealed that five closure orders were served on food businesses last month for breaches of food safety legislation.
The December orders were served on the Corn Food Court in Castlebar, Co Mayo; the kitchen and bars of the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin 9; a food business operating from Car & Table in Roscommon; Glenmore Meats in Pettigo, Co Donegal and Phelan’s Shop, Castletown, Co Laois.
