FOUR Indian and Asian restaurant and retail businesses at one location in Clondalkin, Dublin were shut down by Food Safety chiefs – over cockroach infestations that posed an “unacceptable risk to the public”.
Spice Village Indian Cuisine, Eurasia Supermarket, Evergreen Retail Limited and Humeera Traders Limited were all shut down by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in July.
In each case, the closure order was served on July 15, 2024, and lifted 10 days later on July 25, 2024.
Among the stomach-churning findings were “ongoing cockroach activity” including live cockroach infestations and the “presence of dead cockroaches found”.
The report noted: “Cockroaches are known to spread pathogens which can pose a risk to human health.
“They can contaminate food and food contact material which can be harmful pathogens such as Salmonella, E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus thus rendering the food produced and stored in these conditions to pose an unacceptable risk to the public.”
Rodent droppings and poor hygiene practices resulted in the closure of Duud African Foods in Blanchardstown.
The report said: “Rodent droppings were found in the premises in the food store, on the shelving unit and on boxes which contained food products upon which food products were stored.”
The food safety officer said the breaches were a “grave and immediate danger to public health”.
Food Safety bosses served a total of 12 closures and four prohibition orders.
Primary reasons for orders
Reasons for these orders included inadequate pest control, missing or altered use-by dates, food not thawed safely, food stored at unsafe temperatures inadequate cleaning and filthy cleaning equipment.
Chief Executive, FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne said: “Filthy premises, unsafe food storage and inadequate pest control measures are once again the primary reasons for this month’s Enforcement Orders.
“These violations demonstrate a total disregard for food safety requirements and highlight the ongoing failure of some food businesses to maintain basic, consistent cleaning practices, and this failure poses a significant risk to public health.
“Food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of the food they produce, distribute or sell by maintaining proper storage temperatures, ensuring staff are properly trained, having stringent hygiene practices and ensuring their food businesses are fully pest proofed.
“Achieving a strong food safety culture requires continuous and consistent training for all team members.”
