Rodent infestations, flies in deli meats among reasons for restaurant closures issued last month

Jazz Chinese Restaurant in Coolock Village and Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza in Fairview have been closed due to active rodent infestations discovered by inspectors in August.

Rodent droppings were found in the Jazz Chinese restaurant, under the microwave and rice cooker, as well as in the storage area above the walk-in cooler where food packages were stored.

Feces were also found at Freshly Chopped & Neat Pizza, behind the pizza oven, under the dishwasher and in the utility cupboard. Both restaurants have since reopened on August 30 and 27, respectively.

In total, eight closure orders were served last month, five of which have since been lifted.

The three establishments that remain closed are Baalbec Take Away in Limerick, which was closed for using the outdoor space to peel and prepare potatoes, Al Huda Grocery in Summerhill, where dead cockroaches were found, and Divine Catering in Tipperary, whose extension was not suitable for food hygiene practices.

Al Huda Grocery was also issued a closure notice due to a significant presence of flies around the deli area, where the inspector saw flies landing on uncovered food items such as noodles and rice.

There was also no hot water at any of the store’s hand-washing stations, and no soap was provided for washing hands at the deli sink.

Other reasons for the closure include the discovery of three containers of unlabelled cooked chicken in an under-counter fridge and two freezers at Café India in Tullamore, Co Offaly, which reopened on August 21.

Today’s news in 90 seconds – September 10

Dr Pamela Byrne, chief executive of the FSAI, warned that food businesses have a legal responsibility to act responsibly and ensure the food they supply to their customers is safe to eat.

“Although most food businesses maintain high food safety standards and comply with food legislation, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk by failure to meet basic food safety and hygiene requirements,” she said.

“These non-conformities are avoidable and we have zero tolerance for any food business that does not comply with its legal requirements.

“Food businesses have a legal duty to ensure a safe food supply and it is unacceptable that basic procedures such as hand washing, cleaning, rigorous pest control measures and storing food correctly at the right temperature are not being properly followed. Food businesses must do better.”