A popular Chinese takeaway in Tipperary has reopened after being served a closure order by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
Panda Chinese on Barrack Hill, Clogheen was ordered to close on October 24th last on food safety concerns.
On inspection, the FSAI discovered ready-to-eat food stored in uncovered containers outside at the rear of the premises.
Rusted utensils were also found along with food equipment stored on the ground both inside and outside the building.
Discarded domestic waste and recycling waste was reported to have been thrown in "all areas of the back yard" while an "accumulation of dead flies" was observed "on a food storage shelf in the cooking area."
Also of concern was the presence of congealed grease seeping onto the food preparation area.
The temporary closure notice was lifted by environmental health officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) on November 2nd following the implementation of recommendations by the restaurant.
Panda Chinese was one of three restaurants and pubs that were served temporary closure notices in the last month.
Other establishments served under the FSAI Act, 1998 were:
- O’Neills (public house), 2 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
- Nico’s (take away), 289 Richmond Road, Ballybough, Dublin 3
Commenting on the Closure Orders served in October, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said it was disappointing that inspectors continue to find a lack of evidence of safe cleaning practices in food businesses.
“It is a legal requirement for all food businesses to have their premises protected against pests and kept clean and yet food inspectors continue to find unacceptable levels of non-compliance with food safety legislation in some food businesses", she said.
"There is a personal responsibility for managers and all employees to comply with food safety law at all times. There can be zero tolerance for negligent practices that put consumers’ health at risk and Environmental Health Officers will use the full powers available to them under food law if a food business is found to be in breach. Consumers have a right to safe food and food businesses have a legal requirement to ensure that the food they are processing, serving or selling is safe to eat,” said Dr Byrne.
