The Food Safety Authority of Ireland has warned organisations hoping to stage a French market that they must ensure stallholders hold a licence and conform to health regulations.
The warning came as it emerged that the FSAI had ordered the closure of five French food stalls at a market in Donegal town last week.
The closure orders were served by the North Western Health Board, on behalf of the FSAI on Mr Philippe Henri Legrand, Mr Michael Meunier, Ms Brigitte Fagnan, Mr Bruno Montane and Mr Freddy Andre Cochepin, requiring them to close their food stalls.
Closure orders are served when it is deemed, after inspection, that there is or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health.
Mr Peter Whelan, director of service contracts in the FSAI, said French markets had become an attraction in Ireland and groups were inviting operators in to sell food here. "They don't seem to realise that they need a licence to operate a food stall in Ireland and that, of course, the hygiene requirements on stands must be up to Irish standards," he said.
He said FSAI staff had been attempting to track down stall holders to give them forms to apply for licences and to inspect their operations.
"Our inspectors came across these operators in Donegal and because they did not have the facilities to operate a food stall, like chilling equipment, the stalls were closed down," he said.