The Food Safety Authority of Ireland issued 76 closure orders in 2023, while 13 other enforcement orders were handed out over other issues.
The authority said it is disappointed to see a 19% increase in enforcement orders on 2022, and reminded businesses to "train staff appropriately to produce, serve, and sell food in accordance with food safety legislation".
In total 92 enforcement orders were issued to businesses last year, 15 more than the year before.
Of the rest three were improvement orders, and 13 were prohibition orders, which usually relate to a single product that might cause harm to the public.
The FSAI said that reoccurring issues it noticed amongst businesses were inadequate food storage systems leading to contamination risks, a lack of pest control procedure, inadequate temperature control, as well as insufficient staff training and personal hygiene and record keeping.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI, said that last year's 92 orders were "necessary for the protection of consumer health in relation to food safety" and added that "we should not be seeing such breaches of food law occurring in food businesses at all".
She said: "Enforcement orders are served on food businesses only when a risk to consumer health has been identified, or where there are a number of ongoing breaches of food legislation.
"It is a legal obligation for food businesses to ensure that they are proactive in adhering to food safety regulations.
"Each month, food safety inspectors find similar, basic and fundamental breaches of food law, which are unacceptable.
"As we enter 2024, we urge food businesses to always prioritise and promote a culture of food safety in their businesses."
