Limerick takeaway shut down by health inspectors due to 'grave and immediate danger'

A LIMERICK takeaway has been closed by health inspectors due to a "grave and immediate danger". 

According to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Ginger Lillies Chinese Restaurant on 18 Mulgrave Street has failed to comply with a major regulation on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs. 

The health inspector observed "a large number of rodent droppings" in a number of areas, including underneath the washing up sink, on the floor beside the cooking equipment, and on the floor between the chest freezer and shelving in the dry goods area. 

They also stated a "grave and immediate danger" exists due to the risk of contamination of foodstuffs and food contact surfaces with harmful pathogens transmitted via the droppings and urine of rodents. 

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It is one of 21 enforcement orders issued by the FSAI in the month of April. 

The Chief Executive of the FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne, noted that it is the highest number of closure orders issued in one month since November 2019, when the same number were also issued. 

She said, "Amongst the reasons for the Closure Orders in April, a lack of adequate procedures to control pests was frequently cited. This resulted in evidence of widespread mice and cockroach activity, which leads to a serious risk of food being contaminated and poses a grave and immediate danger to public health.

"Food businesses must ensure that their food business is properly pest proofed, and that they take effective action if there is a pest infestation.

"Each month, we issue the list of Enforcement Orders as a deterrent, but it seems that last month, food safety fell off the list of priorities for quite a number of food businesses.

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