It has been established that 12 food businesses around the country have been issued with Closure Orders – five under the FSAI Act of1998 and seven under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations of 2010 – while one was issued with a Prohibition Order during the month of July.

When officials rule that there exists a grave or immediate danger to public health, a Closure Order is served which can lead to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities,

Commenting on the issue, Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, insists food businesses have a responsibility to their customers, saying: "There are simply no excuses for putting consumers’ health at risk through sub-standard food hygiene practices."

"The summer months are busy months for food businesses and systems must be put in place to cope with the increase in customers," she added.

"It is essential that all food businesses have the appropriate food safety management systems and procedures in place and that all staff are fully trained to ensure these systems and procedures are adhered to all time."

With 13 businesses hitting the headlines for non-compliance, Dr. Byrne issues a warning, saying: "We are re-emphasising to all food businesses that they must comply with food safety and hygiene laws at all times."

Five Closure Orders were served under the FSAI Act, 1998 on:

 Blueberries “Pop Up” (restaurant), No. 13 Lower Cork Street, Mitchelstown, Cork

 Fade Street Social (restaurant), 4-6 Fade Street, Dublin 2

The Spice House (restaurant), 2 Church Street, Cavan

Nite Star (take away), Main Street, Glenties, Donegal

Majas Virtue (food stall), Trading at Farmleigh Estate, Phoenix Park, Castleknock, Dublin 15

Seven Closure Orders were served under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:

Chen’s Chinese Take Away, Parnell Street, Mountmellick, Laois

Cashel Take Away Foodstall, Cashel, Achill, Mayo

The Jolly Roger (public house) (closed activity – food production, handling and storage), Sherkin Island, Skibbereen, Cork

Sandyford House (restaurant) (closed area: kitchen and food service areas only), Sandyford Village, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Azeem Meat and Grocery (butcher), 2 Pound Street, Edgeworthstown, Longford

Lucky Dragon (take away), 70 Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7

Craigs Fresh (wholesale), Drumnabratty, Raphoe, Donegal

One Prohibition Order was served under EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010 on:

Kearney's Restaurant, Main Street, Tallow, Waterford

Further to this it was established that a successful prosecution was carried out by the HSE on Dragon Inn Chinese Take Away of Barrack St Waterford, which is now under new ownership.