Food safety - closure orders up

[Posted: Tue 08/01/2008 by Deborah Condon www.irishhealth.com]

Almost 40 food businesses were issued with closure orders last year, due to their 'grave and immediate danger to public health', the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has said.

According to the authority's figures for 2007, a total of 57 various enforcement orders were issued to food businesses last year, compared with 37 in 2006 - a jump of 54%. The number of closure orders, which are the most serious type of enforcement orders, also jumped from 27 in 2006 to 37 last year.

"A closure order is served where it is deemed that there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health at or in the premises", the authority said.

It is calling on all food business operators to prioritise their food safety and hygiene practices this year and to ensure that all staff are adequately trained.

Commenting on the 'disappointing' figures for 2007, FSAI chief executive, Dr John O'Brien, insisted that the authority would continue to implement a 'rigorous inspection policy' throughout 2008.

"Those food businesses who continue to flout the law and fail or refuse to implement the food safety prerequisites will face the consequences. Consumers have to be confident that the food they are eating is safe", Dr O'Brien said.

He called on business operators to 'take full advantage' of the information and support available from the FSAI.

Details of businesses served with enforcement orders are available on the FSAI's website at http://www.fsai.ie