Bewley's Café one of 11 food businesses served with closure or prohibition orders in January

Bewley's Café on Grafton Street in Dublin was forced to partially close last month after it was found that raw fish and ready-to-eat foods such as egg and mayonnaise were being vacuum packed in the same machine.

"The dual use of a vacuum packing machine for both raw and ready to eat foods presents a significant risk of ready to eat foods becoming contaminated with bacteria," a HSE inspector said in their report.

Additionally, the inspector noted no documented cleaning and disinfection procedure or a cleaning schedule for the vacuum packer. As a result, Bewley's was required to cease usage of the vacuum packing machine from 8 January until 17 January.

Bewley's was one of 11 food businesses to be served with either closure or prohibition orders in January, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

Five closure orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 to Balam Ltd of Glasnevin, Dublin 11, Lismore Golf Club of Lismore, Co. Waterford, The Turk Grill in Sligo town, Ella's Heave Café in Dublin 1, and the external drinks storage room at Milner's Rest Public House in Ballingary, Co. Tipperary.

A further three closure orders were served under the EU Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 to Xpress Pantry in Dunshauglin, Co Meath, Indian Tiffins in Dublin 1, and Bewley's.

Milner's Rest Public House was also served with a prohibition order under the FSAI Act, 1998, as were La Citdel and M Tee Ventures, both located in Swords, Co. Dublin.

Reasons for enforcement orders issued in January included active cockroach infestation; rodent activity and droppings; damp and mould growth; and personal items such as shoes, a gazebo and a scooter in a food production area.

"Food businesses have a fundamental legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat," said Dr Pamela Byrne, CEO of the FSAI.

"The Enforcement Orders served in January highlight unacceptable breaches of food safety legislation, including inadequate pest control, poor hygiene standards, and a lack of proper food traceability. These non-compliances pose a serious risk to consumer health and also undermine confidence in the food industry.

"It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations. The law is clear, food safety is not optional, and food businesses that fail to comply will face enforcement action."

Also, in December, the HSE prosecuted Vicos Grill in Navan, Co Meath. The takeaway was imposed with a €1,500 fine, and €4,242 was awarded to the HSE.

*This article was originally published on BusinessPlus.ie.