Popular Louth restaurant forced to cease certain operations over serious hygiene issues
Dirt, grime and grease in the food preparation area was one of the reasons for the closure order
A popular restaurant in Louth was forced to cease certain operations last month after an inspection from the HSE found serious hygiene issues that failed to comply with food legislation.
The closure order was issued to Company Secretary, Prasad Food Ltd, trading as RAHA Indian Cuisine at RAHA Indian Cuisine, 32 Park Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth, and stated that part of the activities of the business, its establishments, holdings or other premises be ceased -
- The preparation and sale of ready-to-heat meals and onion bhajis to other food businesses
Particular reasons for making of the Closure Order included that the food business was expanded and a change of activities was implemented without notification and approval of the competent authority. Therefore, official controls had not been carried out to verify compliance with food law.
The risk involved is that of food placed on the market without the benefit of official controls to verify compliance with food law may be unsafe and give rise to a risk to public health.
The inspectors report also noted evidence of non compliance in relation to food legislation included,
- At the time of inspection utensils intended to come into direct contact with the cooked product were not clean and had visible evidence of grease, grime, food debris and liquid on them.
- The final product packing area was not clean. Splashes of food debris was evident on equipment; dirt, grease and grime were engrained on fixtures and fittings; standing water was noted on food contact equipment which was inaccessible for cleaning and disinfection and therefore provided potential for harbourage for Listeria monocytogenes and other bacteria.
- Zoning arrangements in the business were not adequate and not adhered to. Chopping boards designated for ready-to-eat foods were stored in the raw meat preparation area posing a risk of cross contamination with pathogenic bacteria. And hindered suitable cleaning and disinfection.
- Food packaging was not protected against contamination and was stored adjacent to an area where raw meat was processed.
- Food workers were not trained commensurate with their work activities including in cleaning and disinfection procedures.
- Supervision of cleaning was not adequate.
- Cleaning and disinfection procedures were not validated. Ineffective cleaning procedures pose a risk of contamination of foodstuffs with Listeria monocytogenes; the risk of which increases with the extended shelf life of the final product.
Risk involved is that of the unhygienic conditions in the high risk post cooking environment potentially allow for the contamination of foodstuffs with pathogenic bacteria particularly Listeria monocytogenes.
The Closure Order was issued on June 29, 2026, and was lifted on July 8, 2026.