Takeaway premises in Limerick villages ordered to close amid food safety concerns

TWO food premises in County Limerick were among the ten food businesses across Ireland that were the subject of enforcement proceedings during May.

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has released details and published reports relating to each of the premises which were visited by HSE inspectors. 

One of the premises which was the subject of a closure order was Tasty Food - a takeaway premises located at Unit 2, Cross Avenue, Ballyneety.

According to the FSAI, an inspector from the HSE served a closure order on the proprietor when they visited the premises on May 7. 

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The inspector's report, which has been published, outlines a number of concerns arising from the inspection.

* There was no evidence adequate procedures or procedures based on the HACCP principle were implemented or maintained.
* The premises was unclean at time of inspection and there was inadequate pest control procedures.
* No documentation was found regarding food safety management.
* Food debris and food residue and grease was observed on work stations, shelves, food storage containers and underneath equipment.
* Raw chicken was stored beside cooked chicken and above grated cheese.
* The poor hygiene observed at time of inspection indicates that food handlers have not received food hygiene training

According to the FSAI, Tasty Food in Ballyneety was ordered to close on May 7 and the closure order was lifted on May 16, after the matters of concern were rectified.

You can read the full report here. 

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Separately,  another premises in County Limerick was ordered to close during May. That premises - Pizza Corner - is located at Main Street, Caherconlish.

According to the FSAI, an inspector from the HSE served a closure order on the proprietor of Pizza Corner on May 19. 

The inspector's report, which has also been published, outlines that on the day of the inspection the business was not in compliance with food hygiene regulations.

The report highlighted two sheds to the rear of the premises where exposed packages were stored and in which chest freezers were located and not pest-proofed. The extension to the rear of the premises was also not pest-proofed as a gap was present where the roof of the extension meets the roof of the pre-existing building.

The report also states there were no washbasins available at food preparation stations, contrary to hygiene regulations, and that there was no hot water available.

There was also no evidence that adequate procedures or procedures based on the HACCP principle were implemented or maintained and no documentation was found regarding food safety management indicating that food handlers had not received adequate food hygiene training.

According to the FSAI, Pizza Corner in Caherconlish was ordered to close on May 19. The closure order was subsequently lifted on May 28.

You can read the full report here.