The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued 115 closure orders in 2024, an increase of 39 from the previous year.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2024, 16 Prohibition Orders and two Improvement Orders were also issued by Environmental Health Officers in the HSE, sea-fisheries protection officers in the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority and inspectors in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine on food businesses throughout the country.
The FSAI said a total of 133 Enforcement Orders last year were served on food businesses for breaches of food safety legislation in 2024, an increase of 45% on the 92 that were served in 2023.
A number of recurring food safety issues identified in food businesses resulted in Enforcement Orders being issued, including a lack of pest control procedures; inadequate regular and thorough cleaning; failure to maintain correct temperatures of foodstuffs; unsuitable food storage facilities; and inadequate staff training in relation to food safety and hygiene.
Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive of the FSAI described the increase in Enforcement Orders last year as "unacceptable".
She said it is concerning to see the significant increase.
"Consumers have a right to safe food and negligent food practices are inexcusable. The types of reasons cited for Enforcement Orders are simple errors that should not be happening in any food business.
"Enforcement Orders, especially Closure and Prohibition Orders, are never issued for minor breaches; they are served only when a serious risk to consumer health is identified or when ongoing breaches of food legislation pose significant hygiene or operational issues.
"Inadequate or absent pest control procedures was a recurring issue throughout 2024 and pest control needs to be addressed by all food businesses this year.
"Every food business must have robust pest control procedures in place to ensure that pests are not getting into their businesses and putting consumers' health at risk."
She added that while the majority of food businesses comply with the legislation, it is unacceptable to see recurring issues that are entirely avoidable.
The FSAI also said that nine Closure Orders were served on food businesses during the month of December 2024 for breaches of food safety legislation.
