The FSAI’s Food Safety Consultative Council is calling on consumers and food businesses in Ireland to make their views known through an online consultation which will run until June 23.

Overall, the 4,996 consumer complaints in 2024 represented a 13.7 per cent increase compared to the previous year, with 4,395 complaints.

There were two closure orders served under FSAI Act, 1998 on Lotus Asian Food Takeaway, 2 The Hill, Stillorgan, Co Dublin and Indian Spices (Restaurant/Café), 138 Parnell Street, Dublin 1.

The closed kitchen area of Ó Crualaoi Butchers and Delicatessen at Scoil Mhuire Fatima in the North Monastery Primary School was among three Cork food businesses issued with closure orders. 

Earlier this week, two food allergen alerts were issued by the FSAI about the possible presence of peanuts in specific batches of Domino's Garlic & Herb dip, Domino's Mustard and Honey dip and Carlos Takeaway Garlic & Herb dip.

The Cork businesses, located at the same address in Douglas, were issued with the orders after a power outage led to the thawing of food in freezers. 

Dead rodents found at one premises in Cobh and a 'large amount' of droppings found at another in Youghal. 

A record 21 food closure orders were issued on premises in April, with rodent and cockroach infestations among the reasons

Le Chocolat de Frèd in Dún Laoghaire was one of several businesses served with closure orders

Some of the reasons for food business closure orders in February included evidence of a rodent infestation; significant amount of rodent droppings throughout a premises; and the preparation of raw chicken on the equipment sink, with blood present

The Food Safety Authority issued 10 enforcement orders last month

They are advising consumers not to eat any imported frozen food of animal origin bought from Iceland Ireland stores since March 3rd.

The orders were issued to food businesses in Limerick, Tipperary, Meath and Dublin

The FSAI said a prosecution was also taken by them last month.

Stay on top of the latest stories with our three-minute video update

In 2022, the FSAI served 65 Closure Orders and 12 Prohibition Orders for breaches in food safety legislation. 

Some of the reasons for the issuing of the orders included the presence of dead rodents and rodent droppings on premises, poor contamination control and a lack of facilities for monitoring food temperature. Businesses were also served for inadequate staff training regarding food safety.

Rodent droppings and a vape kit stored directly over cooling food were among the issues identified