Dublin Restaurant Shuts Down After Dead Rat Found Beneath Dishwasher
A Dublin restaurant recently faced closure after a dead rat was discovered beneath its dishwasher. Kimchi Hop House, located on Parnell Street, halted operations for nearly three weeks due to the incident. This finding was part of a broader inspection by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), which highlighted serious hygiene issues.
Closure Due to Sanitation Violations
Inspections revealed not only the dead rat but also rat droppings in several areas, including the kitchen and a sushi preparation zone. The FSAI reported a total of 11 closure orders issued to food establishments for violations of food safety regulations last month.
- Kimchi Hop House: Closed for rat and droppings found.
- Diamond Pizza in Drumcondra: Closed for mold, lack of hot water, and poor hygiene.
- West Wing in Tuam: Identified rodent activity.
- Corrib Oil Spar Express in Castlerea: Closed due to similar concerns.
- Camile Thai in Dolphin’s Barn: Rodent activity led to closure.
Food Safety Violations Across Multiple Establishments
Additional food businesses across five counties experienced enforcement actions. Inspections uncovered significant hygiene failures and pest control issues, including:
- Large numbers of flies and crawling insects noted in various locations.
- Staff observed neglecting handwashing protocols during inspections.
- Insufficient pest management systems in several establishments.
Prohibition Orders Issued
Besides closure orders, the FSAI served prohibition notices to several businesses for severe violations. Notable cases included:
- Foodliner Supermarket in Ballaghaderreen: Ordered to remove untraceable chicken legs from sale.
- Lucaci Fast Travel in Cabra: Required to destroy improperly labeled food products.
Importance of Food Safety Practices
Greg Dempsey, CEO of the FSAI, emphasized the need for stringent food safety practices. He remarked that most food businesses adhere to regulations but a few continue to engage in unacceptable practices. As the busy Christmas season approaches, he urged all food establishments to reinforce their food safety procedures.
“Maintaining food safety must always be the top priority,” Dempsey stated, reiterating the necessity of effective food safety management systems to prevent future closures.
