Five food businesses were ordered to close last month for breaking health and safety laws.
They included the Exchange Bar in Waterford City, Costello Stores on Shandon Street in Cork and Mr Kebab in Cork City.
Londis in Bellurgan in Louth and Oriental City in Portlaoise were also closed by the Food Safety Authority in January.
The reasons for the orders included evidence of rodents which posed a risk of contamination to food, preparation surfaces and equipment.
On another premises, there was an extremely large build-up of congealed blood in freezers along with food debris and dirt.
Dirt was a common reason for the orders in some of the businesses, including grease on equipment such as microwaves.
Inspectors raised the issues of no hot water being available as well as inadequate pest control.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI said it was in the interests of public health that businesses should ensure adequate hygiene standards are maintained.
She said: “The Enforcement Orders in the first month of the year have demonstrated that inadequate hygiene practices are continuing to put consumers at unnecessary risk of falling ill.
"Food legislation is primarily set to protect consumers from a variety of threats such as pest infestation and food contamination by dangerous bacteria.
She added there is "no justification" for businesses not to implement all aspects of the legislation.
Dr Byrne said: "It is wholly unacceptable that there continues to be some food businesses who are failing to have the right food safety management systems in place to ensure the food they serve to their customers is safe to eat.”
