A Donegal cafe has been closed after mouse droppings were found.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) served the closure notice on the Waterfront Diner in St Johnston.
It was one of four Closure Orders which were served under the FSAI Act, 1998.
Some of the reasons for the Closure Orders in November include: adequate procedures were not in place to deal with pests gaining entry to the premises; a dead mouse was found in a trap underneath shelving used for storing food and equipment at the rear kitchen and fresh mouse droppings were also noted in this area.
Others included pest proofing issues such as holes and gaps were observed which is permitting pests gain access to the food business; evidence of current rodent activity in the kitchen area and counter service; no washbasin designated for the washing of hands was available; food handlers were observed not washing their hands during the inspection.
Commenting on the Closure Orders served in November, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that it is a legal requirement for all food businesses to have a robust food safety management system in place that also ensures a high level of pest control.
“Environmental Health Officers are continuously finding incidents of rodent and pest infestations. This is a failure of a food safety management system, which is put in place to ensure food safety and hygiene. Consumers have a right to safe food and all food businesses have a legal obligation to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat.
“With the Christmas period already underway, food businesses must ensure they maintain high food safety standards at all times. The FSAI provides advice if food businesses are unsure what their legal obligations are at www.fsai.ie or the FSAI Advice Line, info@fsai.ie,” Dr Byrne concluded.
Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website.
Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.
