Popular Clonmel restaurant forced to shut over continuous failure to meet hygiene standards

A popular Restaurant and takeaway in Clonmel has been ordered to shut its doors following an inspection by an authorised officer of the Health Service Executive under the Food Safety Authority of Ireland Act, 1998.

Babylon Kebab House located in Irishtown, was ordered to close for the following reasons:

• The premises was not maintained in a clean condition
• The lack of adequate, regular, and thorough cleaning was evident in all parts of the food business, particularly in the food cooking and food storage areas
• This lack of adequate cleaning was also identified during previous inspections.
• There is a continuous failure to maintain consistent cleaning standards at this premises, contrary to the above legislation.

The business operated by Mr Bassem Yassin and Mr Rami Yasein, has been forced to close until an order to contrary effect by a Court of competent jurisdiction; or further written direction is given by the Health Service Executive.

Closure Orders were served on eight other food businesses across the country during March, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has confirmed, with one prohibition order issued also.

The premises are located in Dublin (6), Offaly (1), Meath (1) and Cork (1).

One Closure Order was served under the FSAI Act, 1998, on,

• Le Chocolat de Frèd (Restaurant/ Café), 96 Georges Street Lower, Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin

Seven Closure Orders were served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on,

• Shangri La Asian Cuisine (Restaurant/ Café), Blackhorse Avenue, Cabra, Dublin 7
• Super Marios (Take Away), High Street, Tullamore, Offaly
• Kingdom of Sweets (Retailer), 15 Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2
  
• Royal Caterers (https:// royalcatering.ie/ and https:// www.facebook.com/ royalcateringireland/) (Service Sector), Unit 27C, Ashbourne Business Centre, Ballybin Road, Ashbourne, Meath
• Cork Oriental Supermarket (Closed area: Kitchen and kitchen storage area), (Restaurant/ Café), 13 Dalton's Avenue, Cork
• Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant, 45 Capel Street, Dublin 1
• Munch Box (Restaurant/ Café), 1 Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9

One Prohibition Order was served under the European Union (Official Controls in Relation to Food Legislation) Regulations, 2020 on,

• Hilan Chinese and Korean BBQ Restaurant, 45 Capel Street, Dublin 1

Some of the reasons for the Enforcement Orders in March include:

• Storage of bags of beef, fish and unlabelled unidentified meats and chicken in the freezer and the walk-in fridge for an unknown duration and with no traceability
• Presence of fresh rat droppings
• Evidence of a lack of adequate and regular cleaning throughout the premises
• Continuous failure to maintain consistent cleaning standards
• Persistent and recurring failure to comply with food safety legislation
• Overflow of foul water into the food preparation area
• Absence of adequate training/instruction of food workers
• Absence of complete and accurate documented food allergen information
• Dirt and food debris on walls, floors, doors, touch points, equipment, fridges, freezers, surfaces, and food storage containers in the kitchen
• Lack of food safety knowledge and training

Dr Pamela Byrne, Chief Executive, FSAI, said that breaches of food safety legislation pose a real danger to consumer health.

"March saw a high number of Enforcement Orders and some of the reasons listed demonstrate totally inadequate hygiene standards.

"Consumers have a right to safe food and this legal obligation sits with the food business operators. These food businesses are damaging the reputation of the food industry as a whole and can impact the trust that consumers have in the food they eat.

"Environmental Health Officers, who inspect these food businesses, also continue to encounter cases where consumers’ health is put at risk particularly through a failure to comply with hygiene requirements, pest control and food safety training requirements, which is unacceptable." Dr Byrne concluded.

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

Closure Orders and Improvement Orders will remain listed in the enforcement reports on the website for a period of three months from the date of when a premises is adjudged to have corrected its food safety issue, with Prohibition Orders being listed for a period of one month from the date the Order was lifted.