Two popular burrito bars were among six food businesses served with closure orders in Dublin, Louth, Waterford and Wexford last month by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. Mamas Revenge, 12 Leinster Street South, Dublin 2 was issued closure orders due to breaches of the 2010 EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) regulations. This closure was in relation to air pollution and “inadequate kitchens space and preparation space.”
Another popular burrito bar, Little Ass, 32A Dawson Street, received a closure order relating to their preparation and cooking of raw chicken.
However Little Ass responded in a Facebook post clarifying that the reason for a request for closure was due “in large part to the size of our store and the fact that over the last 2 years we’ve doubled our customer numbers.” They had only been ordered to conduct a partial closure, however no closure was needed in the end as within a half an hour of the order all issues had been resolved.
Closure orders are served where it is deemed that there is a grave and immediate danger to public health. They can be lifted once the FSAI are satisfied that their premises are no longer in breach of the regulations. Dr. Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI re-emphasises the “legal responsibility” food businesses have towards their consumers. Dr. Byrne Chief executive of the FSAI and former senior member of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, added that all businesses need “ongoing, consistent compliance with food safety and hygiene legislation.” “There is no excuse for putting consumers’ health at risk through negligent practises,” he claimed.
Other businesses served with closure orders due to the breach of the 2010 EC(Official Control of Foodstuffs) regulations include were: Orchid Harbour restaurant, Mad Cow Milkshakes, Kellaghan Catering Limited Main Street,
All orders were lifted in February and early March with Mamas Revenge reopening on the 15th of March due to “rewiring”. This is with the exception of Kellaghan Catering Limited who were charged with the preparation and supply of ready to eat food to other food business
Full details of the enforcement orders and information regarding the regulations can be found on FSAI website.