Rodent droppings behind restaurant closure orders in Cork, Kerry and Limerick

The FSAI chief executive said food safety had recently fallen off the priority list of several food companies.

Most of the closure orders were served in Dublin, but also to businesses in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Roscommon and Donegal.

Madina Kebab on Blarney Street in Cork was found to have rats dropping behind three freezers and on two shelves. The report also stated that “cleanliness was poor throughout the premises.”

It also said: “Due to the evidence mentioned above, a serious and immediate danger to public health exists or is likely to exist.”

The order was issued on April 30.

The Ginger Lillies Chinese restaurant on Mulgrave Street in Limerick was ordered to close, as rodent droppings were also found “under the sink, on the floor next to the kitchen equipment, on the floor between the freezer and the store shelves of dry products”.

The inspector warned that the droppings posed a risk of contaminating food and food contact surfaces with harmful pathogens.

The Limerick restaurant was ordered to close on April 30 and reopened on May 2.

In Kerry, the Uptown restaurant on Old Milk Market Lane in Killarney was ordered to close on April 18.

The report stated there was evidence of rodent droppings in the kitchen and downstairs laundry area.

Some reasons for other closure orders include widespread mouse and cockroach activity, evidence that use-by dates and lot numbers have been altered, the sale of foods labeled “nut-free” or “gluten-free” on a premises containing nuts and peanuts, dampness and mould, and failure to maintain food hygiene.

The HSE commenced proceedings in relation to Kenmare Brewhouse Ltd, The Square, Kenmare, Co Kerry.

Speaking about the high number of closure orders issued in April, FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne said there was a lack of proper procedures to control pests.

“Food businesses must ensure that their food businesses are adequately protected against pests and that they take effective measures if there is a pest infestation,” he said.

“Consumers have the right to safe food and food safety should always be a top priority for food businesses. There are no excuses. Food safety is a legal requirement for all food businesses.”