A food deli in Monkstown, Dublin, was forced to close after inspectors found that mouse droppings were "evident" in a number of locations at the premises.
Greenville Deli was one of eight businesses issued with closure orders last month following an inspection, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland said.
Closure orders can refer to the immediate closure of all or part of the food premises, or all or some of its activities and are served where there is or is likely to be a danger to public health.
In total, there were ten enforcement orders issued on businesses last month, comprising eight closure orders and two improvement orders.
During an inspection, inspectors found that mouse droppings were evident in a number of locations in the Greenville Deli food premises, including a cupboard under the sink used for storing cleaning equipment.
The FSAI said that adequate procedures were not in place to control pests in the premises and that there were "numerous" pest proofing issues.
It also said that there were inadequate cleaning and disinfection procedures at the time of inspection.
It reported that a "grave and immediate danger to food safety exists in the food premises due to widespread rodent activity".
A closure order under the FSAI Act was also issued on Sirmone Limited, trading as Soul Bakery and TPB, in Ballymount Industrial Estate, Dublin 12.
During an inspection, rodent droppings were found in the main production areas at the premises as well as on bags of flour in the dry good store. The FSAI said that no documentation in relation to pest control checks was available during the inspection.
Both Greenville Deli and 'Soul Bakery' and TPB were closed temporarily following the inspections, and have had their closure orders lifted.
Six closure orders were served under the EU (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 to the Tasty (Takeaway) in Charleville, Limerick; Namaste Indian Cuisine in Smithfield, Dublin; Bojon Spices in Dunboyne, Meath; Barne Lodge in Clonmel, Co Tipperary; Rio Latter Bar in Park Shopping Centre, Dublin 7 and The City Arms Gastro Bar/Bistro in Waterford.
It was ordered that the food storage and preparation area at The City Arms Gastro Bar/Bistro be closed for reasons including an "unsatisfactory" standard of hygiene as well as food not being stored under appropriate conditions.
The Barne Lodge in Clonmel was issued with a closure order after an inspection found that the premises was kept in an "unclean condition overall".
It was found that the floor throughout the kitchen was unclean with "accumulated grease and debris" found under equipment and floor-to-wall junctions. Equipment which comes into contact with food was also found to be unclean.
Under the FSAI Act, two improvement orders were issued following inspections. The businesses impacted were Sancta Maria Nursing Home in Kinnegad, Co Meath and Sligo Spice (Retailer) in Sligo.
Sligo Spice was issued with a number of directions, such as ensuring that food waste is managed and collected on a regular basis and that a pest control monitoring programme be implemented for the food business.
The orders issued to Sancta Maria Nursing Home include a risk assessment of the private and back up water supply to the premises.
FSAI Chief Executive Greg Dempsey said that there is an obligation for food businesses to act responsibly and ensure that the food provided to customers is safe to eat.
"The findings that led to these Enforcement Orders highlight an unacceptable disregard for basic food safety and hygiene practices," he said.
"These are preventable issues, and there are simply no excuses for failing to comply with the law.
"Food businesses must remain vigilant, ensuring regular checks, effective pest control, and thoroughly cleaned well-maintained premises to protect their customers' health and uphold consumer trust in the food chain."
