‘Mattresses and blankets’ were found in a Dublin sushi restaurant served with a closure order by the FSAI last month.
Wakami Sushi & Asian in Phibsboro was one of ten restaurants to receive Food Safety Authority (FSAI) closure orders in February.
An inspection found mattresses, blankets and duvets in an ambient storage area.
Meanwhile, food-contact surfaces were described as “filthy” and no soap was found on the premises.
The FSAI said sleeping in areas where food is produced is “strictly prohibited”.
Allergens
Meanwhile, the Pure Indulgence café in the Littlepace Shopping Centre in Blanchardstown in Dublin, has been banned from selling ‘Nut Free’ products after potential contamination was found during an inspection.
Lusk Chinese Take Away in County Dublin received a closure order due to a lack of food safety after rice was found stored on a bin next to a container of raw chicken.
Elsewhere in the kitchen, there was blood found in a sink “with no evidence of cleaning taking place”.
Hayashi Chinese restaurant in Edenderry, County Offaly, was handed a closure order after ‘mould growth’ was found on shelving, ceilings and walls throughout the kitchen.
Here is the full list of closures for February:
- Lusk Chinese Take Away, Station Road, Lusk, Co. Dublin.
- Offbeat Donuts (Closed area: Upstairs storage area only), 17 French Church Street, Cork.
- Coriander Nepalese and Indian Restaurant, 1 Tramway Terrace, Douglas, Cork.
- Strudel Artisan Bakery, 105 Patrick Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.
- Amerta Chinese Restaurant, 1 Clifton Avenue, Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
- Hidden Dojo Asian Streetfood, 47A Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.
- Wakami Sushi & Asian, 47A Phibsborough Road, Phibsborough, Dublin 7.
- Shinu George, 8 Esker Avenue, Ardkeen Village, Waterford.
- Hayashi, JKL Street, Edenderry, Offaly.
- Pure Indulgence (Banned from selling 'Nut Free' products), Littlepace Shopping Centre, Littlepace, Clonee, Dublin 15.
FSAI chief Dr Pamela Byrne said food safety is a legal requirement and businesses must comply with the law.
“Food safety is not a ‘nice to have’ in a food business," she said.
“It’s a legal requirement and the law is there to protect consumer health. Consumers have a right to safe food and the food business owner is legally responsible for ensuring that the food they produce is safe to eat.
“Maintaining clean premises that are fit for purpose, managing pest control, properly labelling produce and providing traceability information are mandatory legal requirements for all food businesses.”
Dr Byrne said neglecting food safety jeopardises customer health and damages the reputation of businesses.
Main image: A chef prepares food. Image: Kzenon / Alamy Stock Photo
