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Bewley's Caf among 11 food businesses hit with enforcement orders in January

The historic Bewley's Caf on Grafton Street was ordered to stop using its vacuum-packing machine due to contamination concerns

[Bewleys Cafe on Grafton Street]

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Bewleys Cafe on Grafton Street(Image: Collins Agency, Dublin)

A caf and bakery in Dublin city centre was ordered to close after food safety inspectors discovered an active cockroach infestation in the premises, finding insect eggs next to uncovered mashed potatoes.

Ellas Heaven on Talbot Street was one of five businesses ordered to close part or all of their operations by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) last month following serious breaches of food safety legislation.

Inspectors found cockroaches at all stages of their lifecycle from nymph to adult in the coffee shop and bakery, with live insects spotted directly above open food and spices.

Balam Limited, a food business located at 114 Boyne Road, Dublin Industrial Estate, Glasnevin, Dublin 11, was also ordered to close after FSAI inspectors found that a dirty bed sheet was being used to cover and store unpacked tortillas.

They also reported that there was a scooter and a gazebo in the food production area, along with many shoes, a screwdriver, and an abundance of obsolete equipment.

[Inspectors found cockroaches at all stages of their lifecycle from nymph to adult in the coffee shop and bakery]

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Inspectors found cockroaches at all stages of their lifecycle from nymph to adult in Ellas Heaven on Talbot Street

There was a complete lack of cleaning at the premises, no sanitiser was available, and there were unwashed clothes throughout the building. The FSAI made the decision to close the business citing a grave and immediate danger to public health.

Elsewhere, the restaurant at Lismore Golf Club in Waterford was ordered to close last month after rat droppings were discovered in a kitchen cupboard, which inspectors said posed a serious risk of food contamination.

The Turk Grill takeaway at 23 Grattan Street, Sligo was also closed after the FSAI raised concerns about a lack of handwashing by food handlers, and a large hole in the wall of a staff changing area, which could result in the infestation of pests.

The Miners Rest Public House in Ballingary, Tipperary was ordered to close an external drinks storage room after inspectors found rodent faeces on the floor near bottled alcoholic drinks that were not protected against contamination.

The historic Bewleys Caf on Grafton Street was ordered to cease using a vacuum-packing machine, which was being used for both raw fish and ready-to-eat foods like egg mayonnaise. This presented a significant risk of foods being contaminated with bacteria, FSAI inspectors noted.

[Bewley's Cafe on Grafton Street was served a closure order by the FSAI last month]

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Bewley's Cafe on Grafton Street was served a closure order by the FSAI last month(Image: Collins Photo Agency)

Indian Tiffins restaurant at 143 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 was ordered to close by the authority on the basis that there was no evidence that the management system for food safety, which had been in place previously, had been fully implemented and maintained.

Xpress Pantry at Unit 9, Dunshaughlin Business Park in Meath was ordered to cease the manufacture and wholesale of foods of animal origin, as the FSAI said the establishment had not been approved by a competent authority for the operations taking place.

In total, 11 enforcement orders were served on food businesses by the FSAI during January. Dr Pamela Byrne, the CEO of the authority, said the legal onus is on businesses to ensure they comply with food safety legislation.

Food businesses have a fundamental legal responsibility to ensure the food they produce is safe to eat, she said.

The enforcement orders served in January highlight unacceptable breaches of food safety legislation, including inadequate pest control, poor hygiene standards, and a lack of proper food traceability.

These non-compliances pose a serious risk to consumer health and also undermine confidence in the food industry, added Dr Byrne.

It is essential that all food businesses implement and maintain a robust food safety management system to prevent such violations. The law is clear, food safety is not optional, and food businesses that fail to comply will face enforcement action.

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