A Letterkenny store has been temporarily closed due to a widespread mouse infestation.
The Food Safety Authority recently shut the Spice Land fishmonger at Unit 1 Green Isle Park, Port Road Letterkenny over serious health and safety risks.
An inspection at the premises on 31st January uncovered mouse droppings and evidence of mice damage on food packaging.
An officer found that adequate procedures were not in place to prevent rodents from gaining access to the premises.
There was widespread evidence of a mouse infestation throughout the premises. Mouse droppings were found in the retail, storage and delivery areas of the shop. There was evidence of damage by mice to food and food packaging on the premises.
From the findings, the officer reported that “there is or is likely to be a grave and immediate danger to health. The conditions noted could lead to a serious risk of food being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria likely to render the food unfit for human consumption.”
The premises occupied by S & S XL Illistrin Ltd at Unit 1, Green Isle Park, Port Road, Ballyraine was subsequently served with a full closure order. The order may be lifted when the premises has improved to the satisfaction of the authorised officer.
This case was one of four enforcement orders served on food businesses during the month of January by The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Commenting, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that every food business must have a robust food safety management system in place.
“To ensure food safety and hygiene, every food business is required by law to have a robust food safety management system and to also ensure that this system is working properly. While the majority of those inspected have adequate procedures in place, the fact that Environmental Health Officers continue to find incidents of rodents and pest infestations in some food businesses highlights that a food safety management system is not working. Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal responsibility to ensure that it is safe to eat. To address this issue with pest control, we are running a free Breakfast Bite webinar on 1 March on managing and monitoring pest control procedures in food businesses. Registration for this webinar can be accessed on the FSAI website,” said Dr Byrne.
The closure order was lifted on 9th February 2023.
