Popular Kildare coffee spot ordered to close by HSE

A popular coffee spot in Kildare was ordered to close by the HSE in October after inspectors uncovered a "grave danger" to the public at the premises.

Base Coffee, The Mart, Newbridge Road, Kilcullen, Co Kildare, was ordered to close after HSE inspectors found E. coli was discovered in the water supply being used.

The drive-thru coffee place had become popular with locals and visitors to Kilcullen.

Statement 

Base Coffee said that its water supply had become contaminated and that it had fitted a new water system in recent days. 

A statement said: "We need to explain why we have been closed. Our water supply became contaminated and we have been trying to resolve this over the past two weeks.

"We have now fitted a completely new system of water pipes throughout and a new connection to the main supply.

"The new system has been tested and is clear of any contamination but we are waiting on the results from a second round of tests.

"Again apologies for the delay in reopening."

The HSE inspector, who is an authorised officer of the Health Service Executive under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998, informed the owners the premises would have to close under the FSAI Act.

"I make this order being of the opinion that there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health
at, in or on the said premises," the inspector said.

The legislation breached at Base coffee was EC Regulation 852/2004 on the Hygiene of Foodstuffs which states "there is to be an adequate supply of potable water, which is to be used whenever necessary to ensure that foodstuffs are not contaminated."

The HSE inspector wrote to Base Coffee to outline: "A drinking water sample taken on 24th October 2023 from the food business, the results indicate that the supply is contaminated. Coliforms, Enterococci and E coli were detected in the drinking water sample," correspondence added.

"Given these levels of contamination, the drinking water supply poses a grave and immediate danger to public health."

Base coffee was ordered to close with immediate effect until further direction is given by the HSE.

Base was one of five food businesses across Ireland served with Enforcement Orders during the month of October for breaches of food safety legislation, pursuant to the FSAI Act, 1998 and European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020.

Along with Base Coffee, an Indian Spices takeaway at 138 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, was also ordered to close by Environmental Health Officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Two Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on Mizzoni Pizza (take away), 12 Railway Street, Navan, Meath and Seasons Chinese, Bridge Street, Strokestown, Roscommon.

One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020 on Meghans Café, 8 Cecilia Street, Dublin 2.

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in October include: cooking trays not washed after use and congealed with grease and charred food particles; mould growth visible on the internal surfaces of a milkshake blender with a foul odour detected when the lid was removed; the presence of undeclared allergens in food with a potential to cause a life threatening allergic reaction; no evidence of a food safety culture; a drinking water sample taken from the food business indicating contamination of the supply; large open containers of raw chicken left on various surfaces throughout the food premises at room temperature, permitting the growth of bacteria; no hand washing observed during the inspection; filthy premises with dirty cardboard used both as a food contact surface for cooked rice and on the flooring throughout the premises.

Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that the issues resulting in the five Enforcement Orders in October related to failures in basic food safety and hygiene requirements, and expressed her disappointment at the absence of food safety culture in some establishments.

“Food businesses must ensure there is a strong food safety culture in place, including adequate training for all staff. This simply must be a top priority for food businesses. Consumers have a right to safe food, and there is a personal responsibility for managers and all employees to comply with food safety legal requirements at all times.

"Neglecting food safety demonstrates disregard for the well-being of customers and also potentially places their health at an unnecessary risk. There can be zero tolerance for negligent practices that put consumers’ health at risk, and the full powers of food law will be used if a food business is found to be in breach.”

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.