It’s no secret that cleanliness is a crucial factor in the food industry. Unfortunately, some businesses fail to keep their premises up to basic health and safety standards. In March, ten food businesses across the United Kingdom were issued with closure orders due to serious hygiene issues – including the presence of cockroaches, rats, and fish heads. This highlights the importance of regular hygiene checks and monitoring to prevent contamination and protect public health. In this article, we dive deeper into these closure orders and explore what can be done to avoid similar situations in the future.
Inspections by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) have resulted in the closure of several food establishments due to multiple breaches of food hygiene standards. Mizzoni’s pizza restaurant in Ardee, Co Louth was closed after a dead rat was found in an open drain outside the premises, with rodent droppings observed in the food and packaging store, kitchen and front service area. The premises at Union Cafe in Deerpark Road, Mount Merrion, Dublin were also closed due to rodent droppings in the cup/mug/beverage cupboard, and a large accumulation of rotting food found in an open receptacle. Johnson Best Food African Take Away in Summerhill, Dublin was closed for a live cockroach infestation found in the kitchen, along with meat and fish in an external chest freezer with no labelling or traceability information. Other closures included Sushi Mood restaurant in Drogheda, Co Louth, and Daisy’s Grill in the Malahide Road Industrial Park, Dublin, which had no water supply to the premises. 11 enforcement orders consisting of 10 closure orders and one prohibition order were reported by FSAI.
As we bid farewell to March, let us also say goodbye to the unwanted pests and unsanitary conditions that have unfortunately plagued some food businesses. Cockroaches, rats, and fish heads may seem like distant problems to some, but they are real issues affecting both the consumers and the establishments that serve them. The closure orders served on the ten food businesses should serve as a reminder that hygiene and transparency in food preparation are essential. Whether we are eating at a Michelin-starred restaurant, a fast-food joint, or a street vendor stall, we all deserve food that is safe and free from harmful contaminants. Let us hope that the closure orders will not only clean up the affected businesses but will also improve the standards across the food industry. After all, as the saying goes, you are what you eat.
