Rodent droppings behind closure orders for restaurants in Cork, Kerry and Limerick
Madina Kebab on Blarney Street in Cork was found to have rat dropping behind three freezers and on two ledges.
April saw the highest number of closure orders served by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in one month since November 2019.
A total of 21 closures were ordered for issues including infestation, poor food hygiene, and false labelling.
The chief executive of the FSAI said food safety had fallen off the list of priorities for a number of food businesses recently.
The majority of closure orders were served in Dublin but also on businesses in Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Roscommon, and Donegal.
Madina Kebab on Blarney Street in Cork was found to have rat dropping behind three freezers and on two ledges. The report also stated that "cleaning was poor throughout the premises".
It also said: "Due to the evidence noted above, there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to public health."
The order was issued on April 30.
Ginger Lillies Chinese restaurant on Mulgrave Street in Limerick was served a closure order, having also been found to have rodent droppings "underneath the wash-up sink, on the floor beside the cooking equipment, on the floor between the chest freezer and shelving in the dry goods store".
The inspector warned the droppings presented a risk of contaminating foodstuffs and food contact surfaces with harmful pathogens.
The Limerick restaurant was served with the closure order on April 30 and reopened on May 2.
In Kerry, the Uptown Restaurant on Old Milk Market Lane in Killarney was served a closure order on April 18.
The report stated there was evidence of rodent droppings in the ground-floor kitchen and wash-up area.
Some reasons for other closure orders include widespread mice and cockroach activity, evidence use by dates and batch numbers had been altered, the sale of food with the claim 'nut free' or 'gluten free' in a premises that contained tree nuts and peanuts, damp and mould, and failure to maintain food hygiene.
One prosecution was taken by the HSE in relation to Kenmare Brewhouse Ltd, The Square, Kenmare, Co Kerry.
Speaking about the high number of closure orders issued in April, FSAI chief executive Dr Pamela Byrne said there was a lack of adequate procedures to control pests.
"Food businesses must ensure that their food business is properly pest-proofed, and that they take effective action if there is a pest infestation," she said.
"Consumers have a right to safe food and food safety must always be a top priority for food businesses. There are no excuses. Food safety is a legal requirement for all food businesses."
