Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Shutterstock/Artem Oleshko

Food inspectors discover unregistered business operating out of domestic dwelling in Co Westmeath

The Food Safety Authority ordered the closure of one food business in May.

THE FOOD SAFETY Authority of Ireland ordered the closure of one food business in May.

It was among three enforcement orders served by the authority last month, when non-compliances with food law included the operation of an unregistered business from a domestic dwelling.

The closure order was served on JLM Foods and JLM Family Butchers of Main Street, Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath.

According to the FSAI’s inspection report, the order was brought after the business was found to have no food safety management procedures or monitoring records available for inspection.

Meanwhile, raw meats were not labelled clearly and the presence of allergens were not declared on certain foods.

The order was issued on 29 May, and remains active at the time of publication.

It is the first food business closed by the FSAI since a large number of food businesses across the country stopped operating as a result of Covid-19 restrictions in mid-March.

The HSE also brought prohibition orders against two food businesses last month, one including the same business that was issued with a closure order.

The other order was brought against Bruno Cesar Silva Gomes of Bailis Manor, Navan, Co Meath on 28 May.

The FSAI ordered a number of meat products, including mixed beef, minced meat, pork belly, sausages and salted beef to be withdrawn, after finding that some products were not labelled with ‘use-by’ dates.

Other products were found to have been transported and stored by an unregistered food business operator without refrigerated or temperature controlled transport facilities. 

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said she was concerned that illegal food business operators could still seek to take advantage of consumers during the current public health pandemic.

“The prohibition orders resulted in over 1,500kg of meat and meat products being seized and destroyed.

“No matter where, how or from whom consumers buy food, it must be safe to eat, produced in an approved or registered food establishment and comply with food law, so that public health is protected.”

She added that the FSAI was asking members of the public to be vigilant about food being offered for sale and to report any suspect or unusual activity demonstrated by retailers or distributors from domestic dwellings to contact the authority.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
10 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Patrick Agnew
    Favourite Patrick Agnew
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 4:37 PM

    We all complain and whine about rules and regulations. Sometimes though, they get it right. This is one such time.

    199
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sara McS
    Favourite Sara McS
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 4:44 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: actually when it comes to food safety they generally get it right. Europe has given us some excellent food safety laws as far back as the 90s

    173
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mary Morrisey
    Favourite Mary Morrisey
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @Patrick Agnew: Speak for yourself! I understand why we have them and do not feel entitled to special treatment.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Cahill
    Favourite Terry Cahill
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 4:59 PM

    Maybe a bit paranoid but I worry that when a lot of food outlets and restaurants get fully up and running again that they may cut corners to claw back some of their loses . I would prefer not to be on the receiving end of it. I have become very used to preparing my own food consistently since the pandemic restricted movements and closed eateries, so now I think I will always be aware that I am at the mercy of someone else’s interpretation of safety and quality .

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sirius
    Favourite Sirius
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 6:12 PM

    @Terry Cahill: another worry is restaurants and cafes using expired ingredients.

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute FrustratedASDMum
    Favourite FrustratedASDMum
    Report
    Jun 9th 2020, 7:20 PM

    @Terry Cahill: I have a teenager here who has a fondness for a spice bag. Our local Chinese closed at the beginning of lockdown and reopened a week or two ago. I treated him to one this evening and at first I thought they’d got his order wrong because whatever that stuff was in breadcrumbs, it definitely didn’t resemble the lovely chunks of chicken they used to serve. They were thin strips of leathery god knows what. What makes it worse is they’ve raised their prices since reopening, which I totally understand as I can’t imagine how much they’ve lost as a result is Covid-19, but at least serve the food you used to serve. Thankfully he didn’t eat much of whatever it was they served him.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ríain HenC
    Favourite Ríain HenC
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 3:59 PM

    JUST chEAT :)

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NotMyIreland
    Favourite NotMyIreland
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 4:51 PM

    Will they be inspecting any pubs which open to serve food without a restaurant licence. Seems like the government forgot about food safety with that announcement.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darren Moore
    Favourite Darren Moore
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 5:02 PM

    @NotMyIreland: any pub that serves food would already be registered , a restaurant licence is a different matter altogether.

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Jun 8th 2020, 5:15 PM

    Chancers, what a time to take risks.

    29
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds