Kildare food business ordered to close amid 'grave' concerns due to 'Rodent activity'

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that Environmental Health Officers in the HSE served eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order on food businesses across the country during the month of August for breaches of food safety regulation, including one premises in Kildare.

According to its latest report, Bk Foods Limited (Wholesaler/Distributor) in Clongorey, Newbridge, County Kildare was served with a Closure Order, last month, under the provisions of FSAI Act, 1998.

As of this Wednesday, the Order, which was served on the proprietor on August 26, remains in place. 

The inspector's report, which has been published by the FSAI, outlines a number of concerns arising from the inspection.

The report states: "Adequate procedures were not in place to control pests in the premises. Numerous rat droppings were noted throughout the distribution warehouse."

It states that foods in the distribution warehouse were "not protected against any contamination" to the point where "it would be unreasonable to expect it to be consumed in that state."

The report stated that food in the warehouse was at "serious risk of contamination" due to the rodent activity, representing a "grave and immediate danger to food safety".

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Commenting on the full list of Closure Orders across the country published on Wednesday, Chief Executive of the FSAI Greg Dempsey said: "It is disappointing to see the same issues, such as poor hygiene and pest control problems, being identified each month."

He added: "Businesses selling food to consumers need to ensure that they met their legal obligations, and that the food they sell is safe to eat. While the majority of food businesses take their responsibilities to their customers very seriously, we continue to see a small number of businesses subject to enforcement action, including closure, due to their non-compliances with basic food safety standards.

"The FSAI provides assistance and training resources, but will, with our colleagues in the National Environmental Health Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, take action against these operators as necessary to protect consumers, and to retain the public’s confidence in the food system."

Mr Dempsey concluded: "We also have an online complaint process at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter, where consumers can report inappropriate and unsafe food and practices, which can result in enforcement action being taken. This is an essential component of the food system and it supports the work of the food inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and quality across the food chain."

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website - fsai.ie.