A Letterkenny takeaway was temporarily closed last month after a health inspection uncovered filthy conditions and unsafe food practices.
Letterkenny Kebab and Pizza/East Ocean at 61 Port Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal was shuttered from 22nd August – 28th August 2024 by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The business is operated by MS Quality foods Ltd.
An inspection at the premises last month found a bucket of rice covered in blue mould and was turning purple in colour. The rice was stored in a fridge near the wok cooking station.
At the time of the inspection, onions were being prepared on a “filthy and scored” white chopping board which was “not in a condition which could be readily cleaned”.
The inspector also noted unclean ceiling, walls and floors of the food preparation, cooking and serving areas.
“There was a large build-up of grease, dirt and old food evident,” the report said.
Among other areas, the wash hand basin and taps were ingrained with dirt, as were the microwaves ingrained with old food. Sinks for washing food equipment had a build-up of dirt and old food. Plus touch surfaces such as light switches and plug sockets were “filthy with dirt and grease”.
The inspection report also revealed a number of issues at the takeaway including high risk foods stored out of temperature control, such as pepperoni stored in the fridge in the serving area at a temperature of 8.3degrees Celsius.
The inspector also observed dirty wiping cloths used to clean food contact surfaces and raw meat stored above ready to eat taco sauce in the double fridge in the large preparation area, posing a risk of contamination.
Eight Closure Orders were served on food businesses across Ireland during the month of August for breaches of food safety legislation.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, warned that there is a legal responsibility for food businesses to act responsibly and ensure the food they provide to their customers is safe to eat.
“Whilst most food businesses follow high food safety standards and are compliant with food law, inspectors continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk through a failure to comply with food safety and basic hygiene requirements. These non-compliances are avoidable, and we have zero tolerance for any food business that does not comply with its legal requirements. Food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure the safe supply of food and it is unacceptable that basic procedures like handwashing, cleaning, robust pest control measures and storing food correctly at the appropriate temperature are not being properly followed. Food businesses must do better.”
