A closure order was recently issued to a food business in Co Roscommon. The Garden @ the Shannon Bar in Tarmonbarry had the order in place between July 31 and August 9, when it was allowed to reopen. The Food Safety Authority say filthy premises, unsafe food storage, and inadequate pest control demonstrate "a total disregard for food safety requirements."
The order was issued following an inspection by a HSE officer with the comprehensive report finding the premises to be non-compliant in multiple areas. Among the issues noted in the report, it was stated that the external surfaces of both food stalls were maintained in a filthy condition with black mould growth, dirt and cobwebs noted throughout. The walls, floor, ceiling and shelving of the pizza food stall were maintained in a filthy condition with dirt, grime, mould, cobwebs and food debris noted throughout. According to the report, the refrigerator in the pizza food stall was in a filthy condition with food residue and grime noted on the shelving, surfaces and glass door of the unit.
It was also reported that cooked chicken pieces were stored in a plastic container with no date labels or form of traceability and there was a foul, decomposing smell from it. Plastic food storage containers were engrained with dust and dirt whilst dry goods such as tinned tomatoes, sauces and curry powder were stored on shelving and on top of a disused fridge in an unsuitable store room. During the inspection it was found that birds had built nests in the roof joists of the structure that encloses the food stalls and the area beneath these nests had become contaminated with bird faeces. The closure order was issued on the 31st of July with it being lifted on the 9th of August.
