FSAI's initiative sees closure decline

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is en route to lowering last years high enforcement order figures, despite having experienced the largest outbreak of E coli the country has ever seen.

"Since January, 53 Enforcement Orders have been served on Irish food businesses and with two months still remaining in 2003, it is hoped that this figure will remain below last year's total of 69,"​ said Mr Peter Whelan, director of service contracts, FSAI.

The FSAI produced a range of food safety literature earlier this year, hoping to keep the numbers of closures down by educating food handlers on the dangers of not complying with food safety legal requirements.

"While it is reassuring to see the numbers of Enforcement Orders served is falling steadily, food business cannot afford to become complacent when it comes to food safety and hygiene. Consumers need to feel confident that the food they are purchasing is safe and every Closure Order undermines that confidence which affects not only the premises involved, but the industry as a whole"​, said Mr Whelan.

Closure Orders are served when it is deemed upon inspection, that there is, or is likely to be, a grave and immediate danger to public health.

In another measure to cut the number of closures in Ireland, the FSAI established a means of naming and shaming guilty food outlets on their website. Details of closure and improvement orders remain listed for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue.

Two food businesses were served with Closure Orders under the FSAI​ Act, 1998 during the month of October and are detailed on the FSAI's website at www.fsai.ie.