McDonalds in Louth served Closure Orders amid health concerns due to 'rodent droppings'

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has reported that Environmental Health Officers in the HSE served eight Closure Orders and one Prohibition Order on food businesses across the country during the month of August for breaches of food safety regulation, including one premises in Louth.

According to its latest report, McDonalds Restaurant at The Waterfront on Rathmullen Road in Drogheda was served Closure Orders for the storage unit at the side of the premises under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020. 

As of this Wednesday, the Order, which was served on the proprietor on August 27, remains in place. 

The inspector's report, which has been published by the FSAI, outlines a number of concerns arising from the inspection.

Included in the report was the presence of rodent droppings within the storage unit.

The report states: "Rodent droppings were observed on the shelving and within the storage unit. Cleaning agents and disinfectants intended for use on food equipment were stored in this area, leaving them exposed to contamination from rodents."

It also went on to say: "The unit was inadequately pest-proofed, with numerous gaps, holes, and defects in the structure providing potential entry points for rodents."

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Commenting on the full list of Closure Orders across the country published on Wednesday, Chief Executive of the FSAI Greg Dempsey said: "It is disappointing to see the same issues, such as poor hygiene and pest control problems, being identified each month."

He added: "Businesses selling food to consumers need to ensure that they met their legal obligations, and that the food they sell is safe to eat. While the majority of food businesses take their responsibilities to their customers very seriously, we continue to see a small number of businesses subject to enforcement action, including closure, due to their non-compliances with basic food safety standards.

"The FSAI provides assistance and training resources, but will, with our colleagues in the National Environmental Health Service, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, take action against these operators as necessary to protect consumers, and to retain the public’s confidence in the food system."

Mr Dempsey concluded: "We also have an online complaint process at www.fsai.ie/makeitbetter, where consumers can report inappropriate and unsafe food and practices, which can result in enforcement action being taken. This is an essential component of the food system and it supports the work of the food inspectorate to ensure the highest standards and quality across the food chain."

Details of the food businesses served with Enforcement Orders are published on the FSAI’s website - fsai.ie.