Food Safety orders against three Meath businesses

Three food Meath premises were among ten businesses served with enforcement orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in June.

A closure order was made made on the food stall located in the carpark at Zone Activity Centre, Mullaghboy Industrial Estate, run by NMME Zone Limited, trading as Zone Activity Centre.

The reasons given by the food safety inspector for the closure order was that there was no water supply provided in the food stall.

"Evidence provided indicated equipment was faulty and was not operational for a number of days.

"Adequate provision was not available to maintain satisfactory hand hygiene, to clean and disinfect working utensils and equipment and to hygienically wash food.

"Failure to provide an adequate supply of hot and/or cold potable water at sinks may lead to contamination of food and food contact materials.

"An adequate supply of hot and/or cold potable water is to be available."

A closure order was served on Gerard Ellis & Sons Ltd, trading as Fresh Today at Athboy Road, Trim, relating to the decanting and repacking of foodstuffs on the premises for retail to the final consumer,

with the exception of fruit and vegetables.

According to the inspector, the food business operator was decanting and repackaging par-baked frozen bread and confectionery products. The facilities provided were inadequate to permit good food hygiene practices and provide protection against contamination.

"The area designated for this activity was inadequate in size and not used exclusively for food preparation. Boxes, containers and other non-food items were noted on the food preparation surface, which was also dusty. Due to the inadequate layout, design, size and construction of this food preparation area, food which was being decanted and repacked was at a significant risk of physical

and/or microbiological contamination. A significant risk of cross contamination by allergens was also present."

A prohibition order was issued against Elite Events and Caterers Food Stall, operating at Kerala House Carnival, Fairyhouse, Ratoath, and registered address Carrigeen GAA, Waddingstown, Mooncoin, Kilkenny.

The prohibition order issued on 21st June banned the sale of five containers of cooked rice, three containers of chicken "6s", five containers of beef curry, one container of tapioca beef, one container of chicken legs, two and a half containers of chicken chunks and cooked rice stored in a large pot approximately half full.

Reasons given were that food had been stored at temperatures outside of the critical limits for a prolonged period, in excess of four hours.

Mr Greg Dempsey, Chief Executive, FSAI, said: “Every food business has a legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat. Failures like poor hygiene, pest activity, and improper storage are basic errors that can have severe consequences to public health. Food safety isn’t optional, it’s essential. While we understand the daily pressures on businesses, food safety and hygiene standards must be maintained at all times. A robust food safety management system not only protects public health, but it also supports the long-term success of the food business. Non-compliance with food law is not tolerated and enforcement action will be taken where standards fall short.”