Rodent droppings on opened chocolate powder tub at Laois sports club

A food safety closure order was issued on Portarlington Rugby Football Club where rodent droppings were found on an opened tin of chocolate powder. 

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued 11 orders on food businesses around the country in March. 

Portarlington RFC on the Lea Road was issued with the closure notice after rodent droppings were found in different locations during an inspection on March 30. 

“Rodent droppings were noted in the cup/mug/beverage cupboard at the time of inspection. A large tub of uncovered hot chocolate powder was stored in this cupboard with droppings noted on the peeled back foil cover,” the inspector’s report noted. 

“The conditions noted could lead to a risk of food being contaminated with pathogenic bacteria likely to render the food unfit for human consumption,” they stated. 

“Considerable amount of rodent droppings were noted underneath the fridge in the kitchen at the time of inspection,” the inspector’s report stated. 

The inspector stated that rodent droppings were noted in the bottle store at the time of inspection.

Other non compliance issues related to missing ceiling tiles, including the door in the boiler room which had gaps evident on all four sides. The inspector said corrective action had not been taken to eliminate pests from the premises.

Enforcement orders on 11 businesses nationally included a food business operating from a barber shop without hygiene facilities for food; a lack of labelling and traceability information regarding frozen fish heads, cow skin and unidentifiable meat; frozen fish stored in a malfunctioning freezer; a live cockroach infestation was observed in the kitchen; a dead rat was spotted in an open drain in the food and packaging store and overall inadequate pest control procedures and preventative measures taken; an open container of lettuce was stored directly below an open container of raw fish; no water supply in premises, with no method to wash equipment or food; likely contamination of ready-to-eat food with raw meat; insufficient protection of foodstuffs from contact with toxic materials; inadequate cleaning practices and a lack of hand washing facilities.

Chief Executive, FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne said that in March some businesses failed to follow basic food safety legislation and a number of food businesses were found to be unregistered.

“Food law requires all food businesses to be notified to the relevant inspection authority prior to operating. This requirement ensures that food businesses are registered and/or approved to ensure food safety and protect consumer health. Maintaining a clean premises that is fit for purpose, managing pest control, properly labelling produce and providing traceability information are also legal and mandatory requirements for all food businesses,” she said.  

“Consumers have a right to safe food and the food business owner is legally responsible for ensuring that the food they produce is safe to eat. All food businesses must follow food safety regulations and there are no exceptions. If a food business is unsure about their legal requirements, they should consult their Environmental Health Officer, veterinary inspector or contact the FSAI Advice Line,” said Dr Byrne.

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website. Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month.