Gnawed packaging and rodent droppings at pizza outlet cited among reasons for closure order

Detailed summary

Three closure orders and one prohibition order served on food businesses during October, says Food Safety Authority ...

An “extensive active rodent infestation” and risks of cross-contamination were among the reasons the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued closure orders last month.

The FSAI reported that environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) served three closure orders and one prohibition order on food businesses during October for breaches of food safety legislation.

Pizza Max, located on 64 Talbot Street in Dublin, was served with a closure order on October 29th which at the time of publication had not yet been lifted.

Evidence of noncompliance included the observation of an “extensive active rodent infestation” throughout the premises.

Rodent droppings were found on the floor underneath the chest freezers in the dough preparation area where dough was being prepared at the time, as well as in and on food contact materials such as food delivery bags, and on shelving units where food containers were stored.

Rodents droppings were also found on the floor throughout the premises and on top of storage containers for products such as mayonnaise.

The closure order, which required all of the premises to close, also said evidence of gnawed packaging was found, and multiple gaps were noted in the structure of the building.

A closure order was also served on JJ Ramen, a takeaway located at 2 The Hill, Stillorgan, Dublin, on October 8th, and was lifted on October 12th.

The order stated there was no evidence to demonstrate that a food safety management system had been implemented to safely identify, monitor and control hazards.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The Irish Times. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.