A takeaway in south Dublin had a closure order enforced last month after a live rat was found in a storage area at the rear of the premises.
Roberto's takeaway in Ranelagh was one of 13 premises issued with closure orders by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in July.
The inspection report says the rodent was seen in an area where equipment and food were located.
It added that a "grave and immediate danger exists to food safety in this area because rats can transmit harmful pathogens to food, surfaces and equipment through their droppings and urine".
The closure order, which was lifted on 18 July, related to the food storage area and potato peeling room only.
The Bakery, at Bunratty Folk Park in Co Clare, was also closed due to evidence of "an active mouse infestation". That order was also lifted on 18 July.
The SuperValu store on Walkinstown Road in Dublin 12 was also issued with a partial closure order after rodent droppings were discovered. That order was lifted on 13 July.
In a statement SuperValu said that the temporary closure, which applied to the store’s fresh food section, was due to a "potential issue related to an in-store underground drain and pest control".
It said that the issue related to "a separate section of the store and that the temporary closure of the fresh food section was taken as a precaution".
Neree Mbala, a food store in the Base Enterprise Centre, Damastown Road, Mulhuddart, was issued with a closure order after failing to comply with an improvement order issued the previous month.
The Chief Executive of the FSAI, Dr Pamela Byrne, said the onus was on food businesses to ensure they protect the health of their customers by always strictly following food safety legislative requirements.
She said: "It is somewhat alarming that 15 enforcement orders were required to be served on food businesses in the month of July.
"The legal responsibility for producing food that is safe to eat rests firmly with food businesses.
"The inspections found that a number of food workers at these businesses did not have even a basic knowledge or training in food safety and hygiene, which is a legal requirement.
"There is absolutely no excuse for careless practices. Staff must be properly trained in food safety and hygiene and it is also imperative that an effective pest control system is in place."
Nine other closure orders were issued in July under the EC (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2010:
- Ricky's Fast Food and Indian Takeaway, 1 Abbey Street, Roscrea, Tipperary
- Declan Lavers (wholesaler/distributor), Dromleena, Dunmanway, Cork
- Alchemy by the Lough (restaurant), 1B Valentine Villas, The Lough Road, Cork
- Dragon Inn (takeaway), Unit 4, Ashbourne Town Centre, Ashbourne, Meath
- Glanworth Takeaway, Main Street, Glanworth, Cork
- Grace's Garden (restaurant), Main Street, Shankill, Co. Dublin
- Clarkes (butcher shop), 24 Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7
- Anu's Kitchen (restaurant), Unit 3 Glen Abbey Complex, Belgard Road, Tallaght, Dublin 24
- Totu Douglas (Closed area: raw meat butcher counter and deli counter area) (retailer), 2 Church Road, Douglas West, Douglas, Cork
All of the above notices have since been lifted, with the exception of Totu Douglas and Alchemy by the Lough.
A prohibition order was served on Michael Walsh and Sons Butcher Shop in Athenry, Co Galway and an improvement order was served on Bruree Hut in Bruree, Co Limerick.
