Ten enforcement orders were made by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) in August, with the discovery of damp and mould, bird faeces and dead flies, and filthy and flooded staff toilets among the issues raised during inspections of food premises.
In its monthly update, the FSAI said four closure orders were made under the FSAI Act 1998 concerning Ginzeng and Bakers and Baristas, both in Blanchardstown; Cashel Curry and Pizza House in Cashel, Co Tipperary; and D Grill on Aungier Street in Dublin 2.
A further five closure orders were issued under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations 2020, including at The Bernard Shaw in Glasnevin; McSorley's Centra in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford; and Mizzoni Pizza in Navan, Co Meath.
A butcher's shop in Cashel, Co Tipperary was ordered to stop the process of cooling down cooked food, while a haulage firm on Jamestown Road, Dublin 11 was also served a closure order.
The FSAI added that one prohibition order was handed out under the same EU legislation in August at M Vape on Castle Street in Sligo.
A statement from the authority explained: "Some of the reasons for the enforcement orders in August include: serious flooding in the basement, with damp and mould on the walls; filthy and flooded staff toilets; a defective ice machine leaking down the stairwell into the basement; bags of ice stored in non-food grade plastic bags, risking contamination; bird faeces and dead flies found in multiple locations throughout the premises; evidence of rodent activity in the cold room and freezer room, with inadequate pest control procedures in place."
A leaking roof, food stored at unsafe temperatures, a failure to provide hot running water at sinks, the sale of unauthorised products, and a lack of allergen information were some of the other issues identified during the month's inspections.
The FSAI's chief executive, Dr Pamela Byrne, stressed that food businesses need to be extra vigilant during warmer spells.
"Warmer weather can bring challenges, and both food businesses and staff must be attentive to potential issues, whether this be increased insect activity or issues with temperature controls."
She added: "Incidents of flooding were recorded in some of the August enforcement orders. These pose a serious threat to public health. Flood water that has entered your food business may have been contaminated with sewage, animal and other waste from drains or surrounding areas.
"There is then a substantial risk of onward contamination of food, equipment and food contact surfaces with harmful bacteria or even chemicals. Following flooding and the subsequent clean-up operation, it is advisable to speak to your local Environmental Health Officer for more advice before re-opening."
Details of the orders served each month are available to view on the FSAI website.
