Six food businesses throughout the country were closed last month for breaches of food safety laws.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland said another business was issued with an improvement order, and one person was issued with a prohibition order in relation to shellfish.
The six businesses that were closed were: t/a Oriental Express take-away, 131 Oliver Plunkett Road, Monkstown, Co Dublin; New Magic Wok take-away, 83 Swords Road, Santry, Dublin; Chief Changs Buffet restaurant, Omni Park Shopping Centre, Santry, Dublin; t/a Romany Stone Limited restaurant, Kilbride, Co Wicklow; Nice Star Takeaway, Main St., Ballinamore, Co Leitrim and Monks Bar & Restaurant (closed area: kitchen, ancillary stores and food service facilities), Old Pier, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare.
An improvement order was served on Smiths of Phibsboro public house, 114 Phibsborough Road, Dublin. A prohibition order was served on Paddy Cullen, Wexford Harbour, Co Wexford in relation to Pacific oysters being grown in the harbour.
A successful prosecution was also carried out by the HSE West region on Chris McCaul, Sligo Event Catering under hygiene regulations, in relation to a food stall at the Bonniconlon Show, Co Mayo.
FSAI chief executive Prof Alan Reilly noted the eight enforcement orders served in February was double the number served in January. He said this statistic was “disappointing”.
“We are re- emphasising to all food businesses to make food safety and hygiene a key priority for 2012.”
Prof Reilly said enforcement orders undermined consumer confidence and affected not only the premises involved, but the industry as a whole.